A close-up of the cross erected for Russell Worthen Credit: Matthew Roy
The cross bearing Russell Worthen’s nickname, Splash Credit: Matthew Roy
Gordon Ritchie penning a message on the cross Credit: Matthew Roy
Ricky Worthen, Russell’s brother Credit: Matthew Roy
Cheryl Worthen in a T-shirt featuring images of her son, Russell Credit: Matthew Roy
Messages on the cross Credit: Matthew Roy
Items arranged at the scene where Russell Worthen died Credit: Matthew Roy
Russell Worthen was 30 years old Credit: Matthew Roy
People dropped by Thursday afternoon to read messages — and to write their own. Credit: Matthew Roy
The scarred tree Credit: Matthew Roy
Ricky Worthen (left), Russell and a niece Credit: Courtesy
Russell Worthen just days before he died Credit: Courtesy

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News editor Matthew Roy has been at Seven Days since 2014. Before that, he was an editor at The Virginian-Pilot.