FRANKFORT, Ky. (WATE) — Bone DNA extracted from the body found in Laurel County was confirmed to belong to Joseph Couch , the suspect wanted in connection to the shooting on I-75 that happened on September 7, according to Kentucky State Police.
KSP released Friday afternoon that the Kentucky Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston and the state police crime lab confirmed the unidentified body found on Wednesday is Couch’s. Previously Ralston shared that because of how decomposed the body was, DNA testing was not possible using soft tissue.
Kentucky trooper: Argument preceded judge’s courthouse shooting death Ralston also previously shared that the cause of death for the body, now known to belong to Couch, was a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The official autopsy report is not available as the medical examiner’s office is awaiting toxicology results.
“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,” Ralston said.
Couch was accused in the shooting that happened on I-75 in Laurel County on September 7 which left five people injured. Authorities searched for Couch for more than a week, before it was announced on September 17 that personnel were being ‘reallocated’ outside of the ongoing search.
On Wednesday, September 18, Kentucky State Police and two civilians located Couch’s decomposing body, which was then taken to the Laurel County Coroner. Couch’s body was later transported to the state medical examiner’s office for official confirmation, but Kentucky State Police released previously that the body was believed to belong to Couch .
Woman recounts driving through gunfire along I-75 while headed to Knoxville As law enforcement searched for Couch, $35,000 in rewards was offered for anyone who could provide information leading to Couch’s arrest.
“We appreciate everyone involved in the search and are grateful no one else has been hurt,” said Gov. Beshear. “We will continue to be there for those injured as well as the Laurel County community as they recover from this tragic situation.”
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Local News
Comments / 0