Person Of Interest Sought In Murder Of Grady County Man

The Grady County Sheriff's Office is conducting a homicide investigation after a man was found beaten to death.

Authorities said Kenneth Newsom, 63, had obvious signs of head trauma when they arrived to his home near Highway 39 and County Line Road. The victim's son, Kenneth Newsom Jr, made the dreadful discovery just after 5 p.m. Tuesday.

"I seen [sic] the throw rug had a lump in it and I pulled back the throw rug and there was my dad," Newsom cried.

Newsom said he tried to revive his father, even though he knew it was too late.

"You could tell he was hit in the back of the head and didn't know it," Newsom said. "They hit him repeatedly, caught him off guard."

Newsom said his father would help anyone in need and had been doing so just prior to his death. An acquaintance, Ronald Landrith Sr., had been allowed to stay a couple of nights at the Newsom residence.

By the time family members discovered the crime scene, Landrith was gone. Even more suspicious, Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir said the victim's truck and gun were also missing from the residence.

Landrith is now a person of interest in the case. Weir explained, at this point, Landrith is only wanted for questioning.

"He's got a long criminal record. He's on probation right now and nobody has heard from him since about the same time they last heard from victim," said Weir.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections website, Landrith has prior convictions for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Newsom said he believes Landrith will also be tried for his father's murder if the public can help authorities in locating him.

The Grady County Sheriff deputies are now trying to track down Landrith. They say he may be driving the victim's truck, a black 2003 Chevrolet single cab truck with Oklahoma License plate 308LUQ.

If you know where he is you are asked to immediately contact authorities.

Learn how you can help the Newsome family with funeral expenses.