Gov. Beshear Announces State Medical Examiner and Crime Lab Confirm Body Found in Laurel County is Joseph Couch

Identity confirmed through DNA extracted from bone, manhunt officially concluded

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2024) — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston and the state police crime lab have confirmed the unidentified body believed to be Joseph Couch has been positively identified through DNA extracted from bone.  

“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.”

Joseph Couch is the suspect accused of shooting five people Sept. 7 on Interstate Highway 75 in Laurel County. On Sept. 18, 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 today 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.”

“I appreciate the medical examiner’s office and our crime lab personnel for prioritizing this case so that the citizens of Laurel County can begin their journey to healing and recovery, and the commonwealth can rest easy,” KSP Commissioner Burnett said. “This manhunt was the biggest team effort I have seen in my almost 30-year law enforcement career. We will forever be grateful for the assistance and resources provided by our local, state and federal partners.”

Yesterday in a press release, Dr. Ralston released the cause of death as a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. The official autopsy report will not be available for release until toxicology results return.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office will continue to lead the 1-75 shooting investigation.

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