A days-long manhunt for a gunman who opened fire on cars along Kentucky’s Interstate 75 came to an end when a YouTuber couple Fred and Sheila McCoy searching the wilderness stumbled upon a decomposing body believed to be the suspect, Joseph Couch.
The manhunt began after Couch, 32, allegedly shot at 12 vehicles from a cliff on September 7, injuring five people.According to the authorities, Couch sent text messages to a woman before the shooting indicating he intended to kill multiple people and then take his own life, as reported by CNN US.
The attack caused widespread fear in the surrounding communities, prompting school closures and business lockdowns as law enforcement warned residents to avoid the wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
For nearly two weeks, authorities searched the rugged terrain of the Daniel Boone National Forest, which spans an area larger than Los Angeles and New York City combined.
They used helicopters, drones, and search dogs, but could not locate Couch.
His vehicle, with an empty gun case inside, was found near a forest service road, along with an AR-15 believed to be used in the shooting.
Tips poured in from several states, and a $35,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
Five days into the search, Fred and Sheila McCoy, a couple from the area, joined the effort, hoping to aid in Couch’s capture.
While they were on a livestream they noticed vultures circling above a remote area and followed a strong odour of decay.
The McCoys posted a live YouTube video around 3:30 pm claiming they’d found Couch’s body after searching for six days and nights. They soon encountered two Kentucky State Police troopers in the same location, and together they discovered the decomposing body.
Although the body has not yet been officially identified, authorities are confident it is Couch, based on articles found near the scene.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. announced the discovery, expressing relief that the search had concluded. “The people of Laurel County can rest much easier knowing that this manhunt has come to an end,” Burnett said. An autopsy will be conducted to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.
Couch had been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. His motive for the shooting remains unknown, though authorities continue to investigate.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root expressed regret that Couch wasn’t found alive, saying, “I’d rather he’d been alive, and he could have paid for what he’d done.”
Fred and Sheila McCoy are expected to receive a $15,000 reward from Laurel County Crime Stoppers and an additional $10,000 from a private donor for their role in locating the suspect.
The manhunt began after Couch, 32, allegedly shot at 12 vehicles from a cliff on September 7, injuring five people.According to the authorities, Couch sent text messages to a woman before the shooting indicating he intended to kill multiple people and then take his own life, as reported by CNN US.
The attack caused widespread fear in the surrounding communities, prompting school closures and business lockdowns as law enforcement warned residents to avoid the wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
For nearly two weeks, authorities searched the rugged terrain of the Daniel Boone National Forest, which spans an area larger than Los Angeles and New York City combined.
They used helicopters, drones, and search dogs, but could not locate Couch.
His vehicle, with an empty gun case inside, was found near a forest service road, along with an AR-15 believed to be used in the shooting.
Tips poured in from several states, and a $35,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
Five days into the search, Fred and Sheila McCoy, a couple from the area, joined the effort, hoping to aid in Couch’s capture.
While they were on a livestream they noticed vultures circling above a remote area and followed a strong odour of decay.
The McCoys posted a live YouTube video around 3:30 pm claiming they’d found Couch’s body after searching for six days and nights. They soon encountered two Kentucky State Police troopers in the same location, and together they discovered the decomposing body.
Although the body has not yet been officially identified, authorities are confident it is Couch, based on articles found near the scene.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. announced the discovery, expressing relief that the search had concluded. “The people of Laurel County can rest much easier knowing that this manhunt has come to an end,” Burnett said. An autopsy will be conducted to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.
Couch had been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. His motive for the shooting remains unknown, though authorities continue to investigate.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root expressed regret that Couch wasn’t found alive, saying, “I’d rather he’d been alive, and he could have paid for what he’d done.”
Fred and Sheila McCoy are expected to receive a $15,000 reward from Laurel County Crime Stoppers and an additional $10,000 from a private donor for their role in locating the suspect.