The body of the man who fired into 12 vehicles, striking five people on I-75 in Laurel County on September 7, has been found.
The body of 32-year-old Joseph Couch, of Woodbine, was discovered at approximately 3:30 Wednesday afternoon by Fred and Sheila McCoy, who were livestreaming their search for Couch on their YouTube channel.
“Personal artifacts and a weapon found with the body are consistent with the suspect,” state police said.
The McCoys, who owned the now closed Hatfield and McCoy Museum in Casey County, operate a YouTube channel where they discuss the famous feuding families. The couple had been livestreaming their search for Couch for several days prior to locating the suspect’s remains “in deep brush behind Exit 49 …,” Kentucky State Police said, not far from where Couch’s vehicle and AR-15 were found shortly after the shooting.
They will collect a $25,000 reward.
The McCoys told news outlets that circling buzzards led them to where Couch’s body was found. As they neared where the buzzards were circling, the couple began to smell an odor before stumbling onto Couch’s body.
“We are very confident that tonight brings closure to the search for Joseph Couch. I want to thank all partners for their collaborative effort to bring this to a successful conclusion,” Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett. “The people of Laurel County can rest much easier now that this manhunt has been concluded.”
The body will be transported Thursday to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office will continue to lead the 1-75 shooting investigation.
On the Hatfield and McCoy Museum website, Fred McCoy explains his relationship to the famous McCoys:
“Fred is the son of Bobby and Cora McCoy, the Grandson of Phillip and Ella Jane McCoy, the Great Grandson of Nancy (Hatfield) McCoy & Asa McCoy, the GG Grandson of the famous ‘Preacher’ Anse Hatfield, the GG Grandson of Uriah and ‘Aunt’ Betty McCoy, the GG Nephew of Randall and Sarah McCoy, the GG Nephew of Sheriff Basil Hatfield, ‘Bad’ Elias Hatfield & Constable Floyd Hatfield. and cousin to the murdering but Famous ‘Devil’ Anse Hatfield.”
To watch the YouTube video of the McCoys finding Couch’s body click here (Warning: graphic content)
(Photo: Still shot from one of Fred and Sheila McCoy’s YouTube videos as they search for Joseph Couch)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
