The body of the alleged gunman, Joseph Couch, who opened fire on a freeway in Kentucky earlier this month and injured five people, was found near Interstate 75 in Laurel County. The body was positively identified using DNA extracted from Couch’s bone, confirming his identity. Governor Andy Beshear expressed his gratitude that no one else was hurt and assured support for the injured and the community as they recover from the tragic incident. Couch, 32, had allegedly opened fire on September 7 and injured five people before fleeing, leading to a days-long search for him.
Fred and Sheila McCoy, a retired couple known for creating YouTube videos about the Hatfield-McCoy feud, discovered Couch’s body after days of searching in rugged terrain. The cause of Couch’s death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. However, the decomposition of the body and a soft tissue DNA test were inconclusive, and the official autopsy report will not be released until toxicology results return. Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett expressed appreciation for the efforts of the medical examiner’s office, crime lab personnel, and law enforcement agencies involved in the massive manhunt for Couch, calling it the biggest team effort in his almost 30-year career in law enforcement.
Governor Beshear emphasized the need for healing and recovery for the citizens of Laurel County and the entire commonwealth after the tragic incident involving Couch’s shooting spree on the freeway. The community will be supported as they navigate through the aftermath of the violence, and resources will be provided to assist in their journey to healing. The successful identification of Couch’s body and the closure it brings to the case were made possible by the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal partners who worked together to bring the manhunt to a resolution.
The search for Couch, who had fled after the freeway shooting, came to an end when the McCoys discovered his body in the rugged terrain near Interstate 75. Despite the inconclusive results of the initial examinations, the cause of Couch’s death was ultimately determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The confirmation of his identity through DNA testing provided closure for the community and allowed them to begin the process of recovery and healing. The assistance and resources provided by law enforcement agencies and partners at the local, state, and federal levels were crucial in bringing the manhunt to a successful resolution.
The tragic shooting incident on the freeway that left five people injured and sparked a days-long manhunt for the gunman, Joseph Couch, has come to a conclusion with the discovery of his body in Laurel County. The medical examiner’s determination of the cause of death as self-inflicted has provided some closure to the case, though further details await the completion of toxicology results. Governor Beshear’s assurance of support for the injured and the community, as well as the expressions of gratitude for the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, highlights the importance of coming together in times of crisis. The commonwealth will now focus on healing and recovery in the aftermath of this tragic event.
