State Medical Examiner and Crime Lab Continue Identification Process for Body Found in Laurel County

Unidentified body believed to be I-75 shooting suspect Joseph Couch

Today, Sept. 19, an autopsy was conducted by the State Medical Examiner on the unidentified body believed to be Jospeh Couch, the suspect accused of shooting five people Sept. 7 on Interstate Highway 75 in Laurel County.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston states that the office performed a soft tissue DNA test, but the results were inconclusive due to extreme decomposition of the body. The next step is to conduct testing on DNA extracted from bone. The testing will begin tomorrow, and results could take 24-48 hours. The medical examiner’s officer will release the results once available. 

“At this time, we are able to confirm that the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,” said Dr. Ralston. “In addition, we are performing a toxicology test to verify if any drugs were present.”

The official autopsy report will not be available for release until toxicology results return.

Joseph Couch is the suspect accused of shooting five people Sept. 7 on Interstate Highway 75 in Laurel County. Yesterday, Kentucky State Police (KSP) troopers and two civilian individuals located a body in the deep brush behind exit 49 in Laurel County. During yesterday’s press briefing, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. stated that the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect, and that the body would be transported to the medical examiner’s office for official confirmation.