This is directly from the Widow Bates as we speak:
"I believe Ronnie Bates was shot in the head...... Ronnie did not have any history of heart disease, or high cholesterol, he had no warrants, he did smoke and he did do speed. Just before Ronnie disappeared he told me that he had met some people at the Bowen Ranch and he said there were lots of drugs. Ronnie knew that I did not approve of his taking drugs. He said these people had drugs from cocaine, speed, and pot. I tried to stop him from going there that day and the last thing I said to him was, fuck you stop, don't go, and Ronnie took off. I had a feeling that was the last time I was going to talk to him. He had this look in his eyes, I knew he would never come back. Ronnie said I promised, I have to go. "