The body of the alleged gunman accused of opening fire on a freeway and injuring five people was found near Interstate 75 in Kentucky. Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed that the body found in Laurel County was positively identified as Joseph Couch. Kentucky’s chief medical examiner, Dr. William Ralston, and a state police crime lab confirmed the identity using DNA extracted from Couch’s bone. Couch, 32, allegedly opened fire on the freeway on Sept. 7 and injured five people, all of whom survived. He then fled, leading to a days-long search for him.
Fred and Sheila McCoy, a retired couple known for creating YouTube videos about the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, discovered Couch’s body after spending several days searching in rugged terrain. Dr. Ralston confirmed that the cause of Couch’s death was consistent with 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 only be released after toxicology results become available. Despite this, the Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett expressed gratitude for the teamwork and resources provided by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the manhunt.
The governor’s office expressed appreciation for everyone involved in the search and emphasized the importance of continuing to support those injured in the shooting, as well as the Laurel County community as they recover from the tragic events. The discovery of Couch’s body by the McCoys brought closure to the intense search effort that had been ongoing since the shooting took place. The state police commissioner commended the medical examiner’s office and crime lab personnel for their efforts in prioritizing the case, allowing the citizens of Laurel County to begin the healing process and for the commonwealth to have peace of mind.
The manhunt for Couch was described as the largest team effort seen in Commissioner Burnett’s almost 30-year law enforcement career, with local, state, and federal partners providing essential assistance and resources. Despite the tragic outcome, there was a sense of relief that the search for the alleged gunman had come to an end and that the community could now focus on recovery and moving forward from the traumatic event. The confirmation of Couch’s identity and cause of death brought a sense of closure to a situation that had caused fear and uncertainty throughout the region, with residents and officials alike expressing gratitude for the teamwork and dedication displayed during the search efforts.
