Medical examiner reveals cause of death for body believed to be I-75 shooting suspect
Posted on 09/19/2024
THE SEARCH FIRST BEGAN. MADISON. GOOD EVENING GUYS. WE’RE RIGHT OFF OF EXIT 49, WHERE THE SHOOTING HAPPENED. A COUPLE SAYS THEY FOUND A BODY ABOUT A MILE FROM WHERE WE’RE STANDING, RIGHT NOW, THOUGH WE’RE STILL WAITING FOR OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION THAT IT IS JOSEPH COUCH. IN THE MEANTIME, I SPOKE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO TELL ME IT’S A MIX OF SADNESS AND RELIEF, BUT THEY NOW HOPE THEY CAN MOVE ON. I KNEW THAT ON THURSDAY IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL AT SOURCED A LOCAL PIZZA PLACE IN DOWNTOWN LONDON. JOSEPH PENNINGTON WORKS HERE, BUT HE LIVES JUST FIVE MINUTES FROM EXIT 49. WHEN HE WAS LEAVING WORK ON SEPTEMBER SEVENTH. HE SAYS IT TOOK HOURS TO GET HOME BECAUSE ALL OF THE ROADS WERE BLOCKED. AFTER POLICE SAY JOSEPH COUCH FIRED SHOTS AT DRIVERS ON I-75, INJURING FIVE PEOPLE. FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS, PENNINGTON SAYS HOME DIDN’T FEEL SAFE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT SEARCHED FOR COUCH. BEING AT HOME IS SCARY. I MEAN, EVEN SITTING IN THE ONE PLACE THAT YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE NEXT TO YOUR FAMILY, YOU KNOW YOU CAN’T EVEN GET LIKE THAT KIND OF SENSE OF RELIEF. ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, A COUPLE, FRED AND SHEILA MCCOY, SAY THEY FOUND A BODY PENDING POSITIVE ID. POLICE BELIEVE IT’S JOSEPH COUCH AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR. THURSDAY, SHED SOME LIGHT ON HOW HE DIED. IT APPEARS THAT IN THE IN THE ACT OF OF KILLING HIMSELF PROVIDED THIS. THIS IS JOSEPH COUCH. HE FELL OFF A CLIFF AND AND EVEN INTO I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S A GULLY OR AN EMBANKMENT. I HAVEN’T SEEN IT PERSONALLY. TROOPERS OUT SEARCHING WEDNESDAY NOTICED VULTURES IN THE AREA, ALONG WITH THE SMELL OF SOMETHING DECOMPOSING. AS TROOPERS MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE WOODS, THEY RAN INTO THE MCCOYS. SHORTLY AFTER THEY FOUND THE BODY. I KNOW THE STATE TROOPERS WERE ALSO LOOKING IN THAT AREA, AND I KNOW THE GENERAL AREA HAD BEEN SEARCHED BEFORE, BUT IT WAS VERY, VERY THICK. PENNINGTON HOPES NOW THE COMMUNITY CAN MOVE FORWARD, BUT HE STILL FEELS UNCERTAIN IF IT IS HIM, I WILL SAY IT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, RELIEF TO GO HOME BECAUSE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I MEAN, IT’S NOT REALLY A RELIEF KNOWING THAT SOMEBODY DIED REGARDLESS, BECAUSE I MEAN, I WOULD RATHER OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, HAVE BEEN AT PLAY HERE. THE GOVERNOR DID SAY TODAY HE DOES BELIEVE THE BODY. IS THAT OF JOSEPH COUCH. BUT DNA TESTING IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW TO CONFIRM THE IDENTITY. REPORTING LI
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Medical examiner reveals cause of death for body believed to be I-75 shooting suspect
A medical examiner has revealed the cause of death of a man believed to be the Interstate 75 shooting suspect.A manhunt began for suspect Joseph Couch nearly two weeks ago after gunfire broke out on the road in Laurel County, Kentucky.On Wednesday, a man and woman who had been searching for him found a body less than a mile from the original shooting scene in "deep brush." Kentucky State Police said they connected with the couple, Sheila and Fred McCoy, right after.Officials said Thursday that they have not yet been able to positively identify the body as Couch. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston said the office performed a soft tissue DNA test, but the results were inconclusive. The next step is to conduct testing on DNA extracted from bone and that will start Friday. They said results could take 24-48 hours. They did, however, confirm the cause of death.“At this time, we are able to confirm that the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,” Ralston said. “In addition, we are performing a toxicology test to verify if any drugs were present.”While they can't confirm the identity positively yet, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. did say that the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect.
A medical examiner has revealed the cause of death of a man believed to be the Interstate 75 shooting suspect.
A manhunt began for suspect Joseph Couch nearly two weeks ago after gunfire broke out on the road in Laurel County, Kentucky.
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On Wednesday, a man and woman who had been searching for him found a body less than a mile from the original shooting scene in "deep brush." Kentucky State Police said they connected with the couple, Sheila and Fred McCoy, right after.
Officials said Thursday that they have not yet been able to positively identify the body as Couch.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston said the office performed a soft tissue DNA test, but the results were inconclusive.
The next step is to conduct testing on DNA extracted from bone and that will start Friday. They said results could take 24-48 hours.
They did, however, confirm the cause of death.
“At this time, we are able to confirm that the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,” Ralston said. “In addition, we are performing a toxicology test to verify if any drugs were present.”
While they can't confirm the identity positively yet, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. did say that the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect.
GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS
The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Your Email Address
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Medical examiner reveals cause of death for body believed to be I-75 shooting suspect
A medical examiner has revealed the cause of death of a man believed to be the Interstate 75 shooting suspect.A manhunt began for suspect Joseph Couch nearly two weeks ago after gunfire broke out on the road in Laurel County, Kentucky.On Wednesday, a man and woman who had been searching for him found a body less than a mile from the original shooting scene in "deep brush." Kentucky State Police said they connected with the couple, Sheila and Fred McCoy, right after.Officials said Thursday that they have not yet been able to positively identify the body as Couch. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston said the office performed a soft tissue DNA test, but the results were inconclusive. The next step is to conduct testing on DNA extracted from bone and that will start Friday. They said results could take 24-48 hours. They did, however, confirm the cause of death.“At this time, we are able to confirm that the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,” Ralston said. “In addition, we are performing a toxicology test to verify if any drugs were present.”While they can't confirm the identity positively yet, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. did say that the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect.
A medical examiner has revealed the cause of death of a man believed to be the Interstate 75 shooting suspect.
A manhunt began for suspect Joseph Couch nearly two weeks ago after gunfire broke out on the road in Laurel County, Kentucky.
Advertisement
On Wednesday, a man and woman who had been searching for him found a body less than a mile from the original shooting scene in "deep brush." Kentucky State Police said they connected with the couple, Sheila and Fred McCoy, right after.
Officials said Thursday that they have not yet been able to positively identify the body as Couch.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston said the office performed a soft tissue DNA test, but the results were inconclusive.
The next step is to conduct testing on DNA extracted from bone and that will start Friday. They said results could take 24-48 hours.
They did, however, confirm the cause of death.
“At this time, we are able to confirm that the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,” Ralston said. “In addition, we are performing a toxicology test to verify if any drugs were present.”
While they can't confirm the identity positively yet, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. did say that the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect.
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