Staff report
Kentucky’s Chief State Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston and the state police crime lab have confirmed that a body found in Laurel County is Joseph Couch, the suspect accused of shooting five people Sept. 7 on I-75.
Earlier, the medical examiner had confirmed “cause of death cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,” but needed additional tests to confirm the identity of the body.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) troopers and two civilian individuals located a body in the deep brush behind exit 49 in Laurel County. It was announced that the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect, and the Laurel County Corner then transported the body to the medical examiner’s office for official confirmation.
“Due to extreme decomposition of the body, the soft tissue DNA test was inconclusive, but we were able use bone from the suspect to get a positive identification,” said Dr. Ralston. “I want to recognize the medical examiner’s office and KSP crime lab for working together and being diligent in obtaining positive identification so the Commonwealth can move forward from this tragic situation.”
“This manhunt was the biggest team effort I have seen in my almost 30-year law enforcement career,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett. “We will forever be grateful for the assistance and resources provided by our local, state and federal partners.”
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office will continue to lead the 1-75 shooting investigation.