Two suicides reported in Randolph County

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ According to The Randolph County Coroner Randy Dudenbostel, there were two area suicides reported this past week.

Earl Helmers, 50, of Chester was pronounced dead on Monday, February 28 at 6:16 a.m. Helmers was found by a friend at his residence.

"It appears to be a self inflicted gunshot wound," stated Dudenbostel. He also stated it is under investigation of the Chester Police Department and the Randolph County Coroners office.

Larry Thomas Harris, 71, of Sparta was pronounced dead on Wednesday, February 23 at 8:53 p.m. at his residence. According to Dudenbostel, it appears to be a self inflicted gunshot wound. It is under the investigation of the Sparta Police Department and the Randolph County Coroners office.

Helmer's full obituary appears on page 6A in this week's edition.