Kentucky Highway Shooting Suspect Found Dead, Officials Suspect Foul Play

Authorities announced on Wednesday that remains believed to belong to Joseph Couch, the suspect in a Kentucky highway shooting earlier this month, were discovered near the site of the incident. The body was found in Laurel County off exit 49 of Interstate 75, close to where the shooting took place.

Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip “PJ” Burnett, Jr. held a news conference to confirm the development, stating that law enforcement officials did find a weapon alongside the body. The remains were located around 3:30 p.m. local time by two troopers and two civilians who were in the area.

“There were articles associated with the body that at this time we feel is Joseph Couch,” Burnett said. The body is set to be sent to the coroner in Frankfort, Kentucky, for formal identification on Thursday, but details regarding the cause of death remain unclear.

Couch had been the target of a manhunt in southeastern Kentucky since five individuals were shot on Interstate 75 on the evening of September 7. Fortunately, all five victims are expected to survive the ordeal, which unfolded near London, an area located outside the Daniel Boone National Forest.

According to Burnett, the two troopers involved in the search were drawn to a location after noticing vultures in the air. As they investigated what had attracted the vultures, they detected a strong odor believed to be that of decomposing flesh.

At that crucial moment, they encountered a civilian couple, identified as the McCoys, who were also actively searching for Couch. Burnett expressed gratitude towards them for their cooperative spirit and the valuable information they provided to the troopers.

Interestingly, the McCoys appeared to have been live-streaming their discovery on social media, but Burnett clarified that the troopers were present when the body was found, ensuring an organized approach to the search.

The thick brush and landscape in the area made the search arduous for the law enforcement officials, whom Burnett described as operating in “some of the most treacherous terrain that there is in Kentucky.”

Following the shooting, state police had informed the public that Couch should be considered armed and dangerous. This led to cautionary measures for residents, including checking on neighbors and reviewing home security footage for any suspicious activity. Local schools were also closed for several days after the incident.

Prior investigations revealed that an AR-15 rifle and nearly 1,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from an area close to where the shooting took place. Authorities noted that Couch had legally purchased these items on the very day of the incident.

Regarding the multi-day manhunt, Burnett expressed satisfaction about the efforts invested by the entire team. “I feel like we put forth our best efforts, everybody did, every day,” he stated confidently.

According to an arrest warrant obtained recently, Couch had sent a text message less than 30 minutes before the shooting, indicating his intentions to “kill a lot of people.” The recipient of that message, identified as Couch’s ex-wife, promptly called 911 to alert emergency services before the shooting occurred.

The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, as authorities continue to piece together the details surrounding this tragic event. Furthermore, it was revealed that Couch had served nearly six years in the Army Reserve as a combat engineer but had not experienced any deployments.