HARLAN — A former sheriff convicted 20 years ago of conspiring to kill two political foes has been reported missing, and authorities have opened a murder investigation.

        Paul L. Browning, 56, who was seeking re-election as sheriff, didn't return home after a day of campaigning in Harlan County on Friday and police opened a missing person case on Saturday. His burned pickup truck, with charred human remains inside, was found on a rural road in an adjoining county late Saturday evening.

        Authorities haven't yet identified the body as that of Mr. Browning. The coroner's office said positive identification may be days away. But his wife, Jayne Browning, said she has reached the grim conclusion that her husband is dead.

        “I'm too realistic a person to think otherwise,” she said. “I haven't heard from him, and he always called. He loved his family, and he would never put us through this.”

        Trooper Buddy Simpson, a spokesman for the Kentucky State Police, said Mr. Browning's truck was found on a rural road off U.S. 119 in eastern Bell County.

        Laymon Johnson of Harlan said rumors are rampant about who might have killed Mr. Browning.

        A crowded bench on the courthouse lawn Monday afternoon was filled with as many theories as it was old men.

        “People don't know if it was a drug dealer that he

        might have sent to prison when he was sheriff before, or if it was a political foe,” Mr. Johnson said. “It's kind of scary not knowing.”

        State police released little new information Monday. “Until we get an ID on the body, there's not much we can say,” said Capt. Mike Reichenbach, commander of the Kentucky State Police post in Harlan. “We are working a murder investigation.”

        Lt. Lisa Rudzinski, spokeswoman for the state police in Frankfort, said dental records will have to be used to make a positive identification. That, however, has been complicated because Mr. Browning had dentures on top and a partial plate on bottom, his wife said.

        The state medical examiner's office in Frankfort is doing the autopsy.

        “I expect it will be two or three days before we have an ID on the body,” said Bell County Coroner Clyde Creech.

        Mr. Browning was elected sheriff in 1981 but was arrested the next year amid accusations that he conspired to kill a local magistrate and the county school board chairman. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1982 after being convicted on two counts of con spiracy to commit murder. Magistrate Elijah Buell and county school board chairman John Y. Blanton were the targets in the scheme, prosecutors said. Neither was killed.

        Mr. Browning served three years, was paroled in 1985 and moved to Ohio. He later moved back to Harlan County and had his civil rights restored.

        He filed to seek re-election in January, saying his attempt to shut down bootlegging activities and corruption in Harlan County led to his legal troubles. He has always maintained his innocence.

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