A body found in rural southeastern Kentucky is believed to be that of Joseph Couch, the man suspected of shooting and wounding five people on Interstate 75 earlier this month, authorities announced Wednesday night. The discovery brings an end to a nearly two-week manhunt that left local residents on edge, reported by WLKY.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. confirmed the body, discovered earlier that day, is likely Couch, 25, from Woodbine. The search, which covered thousands of rugged acres, had consumed the community, with many fearing for their safety. “People have been in fear,” said Laurel County Sheriff John Root. “That’s not the normal here in Laurel County”, said US News.
Couch is accused of firing 20 to 30 rounds at vehicles on I-75 near London, Kentucky, on September 7, wounding five people. The highway shootings created chaos, with several schools in the area closing temporarily as a precaution. Though the victims survived, some sustained serious injuries.
Burnett said personal belongings found near the body, including a weapon, led authorities to believe it was Couch. However, the cause of death will be confirmed after an autopsy. Sheriff Root expressed regret at the outcome, stating, “I’d rather he’d been alive and he could have paid for what he’s done.”
The search for Couch involved helicopters, drones, and ground teams combing 28,000 acres of dense forest and hilly terrain. It was two private sleuths, Fred and Sheila McCoy, who ultimately helped in the discovery. The McCoys, YouTube streamers from Kentucky, had been searching the area for six days, tracking signs of vultures. On Wednesday, they followed the birds and a bad smell down a valley, leading to the grim discovery.
“Hey guys, you won’t believe it, we found him,” Sheila McCoy said in a video recorded during the search. The McCoys, who will receive a $25,000 reward for their efforts, were met by police officers who had also noticed the vultures and were searching nearby.
Couch, a former Army Reserve combat engineer, sent text messages before the attack, threatening to kill multiple people and himself. His vehicle and a semi-automatic weapon believed to be used in the shooting were found near the crime scene shortly after the attack.
As the search concludes, Sheriff Root asked the community to pray for the victims and Couch’s family, emphasizing that the family should not be blamed for his actions. “The family cannot be blamed for the misfortune that this guy’s caused,” Root said.