Radnor police find decomposing body of rape suspect
Robert Hendricks hadn't gone anywhere in weeks. The 63-year-old Radnor resident apparently blew a hole in his head - likely sometime in May - after cops raided his and seized several computers as part of a sexual-assault investigation involving a teenage girl.
Radnor police find decomposing body of rape suspect
William Bender
You've probably read the line in crime novels or heard it on police procedural TV shows: Cops telling a suspect to stay where they can find him while they conduct the investigation.
Robert Hendricks hadn’t gone anywhere in weeks. Didn’t move an inch. The 63-year-old Radnor resident apparently blew a hole in his head – likely sometime in May – after cops raided his Highland Lane home near the Haverford border and seized several computers as part of a sexual-assault investigation involving a teenage girl.
Hendricks’ body wasn’t discovered until last Saturday when one of his daughters knocked on the door, got no response and called police. Radnor Police Lt. Andrew Block said Hendricks died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He’d likely been dead six to eight weeks, Block said.
“It’s a pretty sordid story,” said Fifth Ward Commissioner John Nagle, who sent an email to township residents Monday explaining the police and Delaware County Medical Examiner activity outside Hendricks’ house over the weekend.
“That house must’ve been ripe,” Nagle said.
Investigators are awaiting the completion of a forensic analysis of Hendricks’ computers. They're looking for any evidence related to the alleged assault, including photos or messages.
“She was picked up by him and he brought her back to the house. Allegedly, over the course of several hours, the sexual assault occurred,” Block said. “Just because this person at this point is no longer alive, we’re thorough and we’ll continue the investigation.”
Police are being tight-lipped about the case because the alleged victim is a minor and no charges have been filed. But a township source said the man apparently told police that he believed the girl was 18 years old.
whatever happened to our constitution and due process. mr hendrix is innocent until proven guilty. maybe it was consensual, like he claimed?— barry m goldwater
Hey, Barry. . . if he were innocent, why would he blow his brains out?. I can't imagine the smell in that house after all this heat we've had. OMG!— PattyJo- If he were innocent, then why did he shoot himself? That just made him look guilty. His case hadn't even gone to trial yet.— cameralady
- Another nothing anyone can do about it *news story*. Readers did not caue the crime, readers cannot fix the crime. It's easy fodder to use police blotter tabloid sensationalism then OPEN UP FOR COMMENTS to galvanize putdowns. Great use of the media for humiliation. Bravo!— Ecks
- This comment has been deleted.— Mtairysquirl
- You referring to Lafonsa Perry? Your neighborhood is full of adult men who have impregnated underage girls. Ask Planned Parenthood.
— Jean Valjean 
Comment removed.- These comment boards bring all the racists out.— road515
- Detective Stabler is happy.— Aces high
- @road515, I agree.— 2thru
- creepy main liners.— Tyrone Biggums
- Say what about the Constitution!? It presumes you are innocent until proven guilty. Sure, people can bash this guy and make assumptions, but if those doing the bashing are ever charged with a crime, would they prefer to be presumed guilty? Hypocrites is what you are, and I'm certainly not defending this guy - just saying he is innocent and now will never be proven guilty. If he did it anything illegal, he just paid the ultimate price. He may have thought the girl was 18 and killed himself over the shame of the charges. This was not cut and dried because the allegation was made to police two months ago and this guy had not been charged yet. Certainly was not a slam dunk for the police or he would have been arrested ASAP. Think a little, people!— kingnutter
- Both families seem like winners. Where were the underage girl's parents when she went waltzing off with a 63-year-old man? Where was his daughter for the six-eight weeks he lay dead inside his house?— PROUD LIBERAL
- Lots of blame to go around on whites and blacks. How many stories have their been in the last couple of years about black children being beaten or starved to death by their parent/guardian? A couple of weeks ago a Bridgeport couple was arrested for abuse when their 6 yo son was brought into CHOP for the second time. He weighed less than 30 pounds and was extremely malnourished. Abuse, physical or sexual, knows no color.— mike l
