Henry Earl, known as “the world’s most arrested man,” passed away at the age of 74 in Kentucky. He was buried at the Owenton Cemetery, with no family members in attendance. He had spent the final years of his life at the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility, where workers remembered him fondly for his sense of humor.
During his lifetime, Earl was arrested over 1,300 times, mostly for alcohol-related offenses. He began drinking heavily after his adopted mother passed away at the age of 18 and had not held a real job since 1969. His first arrest was at the age of 20 for carrying a concealed weapon, and he spent over 6,000 days in jail over the years. His 1,000th arrest for alcohol intoxication came in 2008, after which he entered a four-month rehab program but was soon arrested again for public intoxication in 2017.
Despite his troubled past, Earl was well-known and beloved in the Lexington community. He would frequent University of Kentucky college bars and interact with students, often asking to be called “James Brown.” He was described as a free spirit and a charismatic person, although he was known to be difficult at times. He was featured on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in 2004 but was unable to attend as he was incarcerated at the time.
Ginny Ramsey, founder of Lexington’s Catholic Action Center, remembered Earl as someone who was impossible not to love. Despite his struggles, he was seen as a kind-hearted person who brought joy to those around him. Ramsey recounted how they would give him curfews, which he often tried to follow but struggled to do so. Earl spent his final years at the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility before passing away last weekend.
Henry Earl’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew him. He will be remembered for his incredible number of arrests, as well as his resilience and humor. Despite his troubled past, Earl’s ability to connect with others and his free-spirited nature left a lasting impact on those who crossed his path. Ramsey expressed that Henry Earl will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew him, and his memory will never be forgotten in the Lexington community.
