Kentucky Man Found Dead at Cobscook Bay State Park Had Multiple Firearms, Suppressors

A 59-year-old man was found dead in an apparent suicide at a state park in Washington County on June 8, according to a report from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, identified as Zhiwei “Jerry” Xiao, was discovered in his vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head.

The handgun, a Beretta M92FS, was found in his right hand, and authorities determined the shot was self-inflicted.

Washington County Deputy Matthew Carter, who responded to the scene, noted that a single round had been fired from the weapon. A 9mm shell casing was found in the back seat of the vehicle, and further investigation revealed additional firearms and two suppressors, which were taken into evidence.

The suppressors, classified as restricted items under federal law, prompted a notification to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). An ATF agent informed the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that, based on the suppressors’ serial numbers, the devices did not appear to be stolen.

Deputies responded to the scene after being alerted by park employees. A park ranger supervisor noted that Xiao, who had registered under the name “Jerry Xiao,” had been staying at the park since June 5 — the day after his birthday, according to his U.S. passport. His campsite contained personal items including a fishing pole and a cooler, which were later recovered.

Cobscook Bay State Park, where Xiao’s body was located, is located in Maine’s easternmost county, Washington County, an approximately 1,200 mile drive from Erlanger, KY.

According to the police report, a Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy contacted the Erlanger, Kentucky Police Department, who interviewed Xiao’s neighbors and later informed the Sheriff’s Deputy that Xiao was a Chinese immigrant who had become a naturalized citizen but lived alone and had no known friends.

Publicly available records suggest Xiao previously had resided in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

Six days after Xiao was found dead, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a man purporting to be one of Xiao’s friends.

“[The friend] stated that his friend the decedent had been depressed and was in financial trouble. [The friend] further explained that the decedent had sold his company the following year and the buyer only paid part of the money and would pay the rest upon him getting licensed,” the police report states.

“The buyer had not been able to get licensed and the decedent did not get the rest of his money. [The friend] stated that the bank started repossessing his vehicle and boat,” the report states.

An extensive review of business records in Maine, Kentucky, and other states by the Maine Wire was unable to locate an business registered to Zhewei Xiao or Jerry Xiao.

However, Kentucky records do show that Banterra Bank filed a lien against Xiao on Aug. 8, 2023 for a boat with a Mercury 115ELPT 4-Stroke Outboard Motor, which could retail for anywhere from $25,000 to $60,000 depending on the condition of the boat.

Additional records reviewed by the Maine Wire show that Xiao owned a home in Independence, MO from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2017, at an address roughly nine hours’ drive from Erlanger.

Recods show Xiao had purchased his Missouri hunting and fishing licenses almost every from 2004 to 2014, with his most recently purchased license being a Missouri Sporting Permit for 2023.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Maine ruled the death a suicide after an autopsy. No foul play is suspected.