ALERT - Manhunt over as remains are officially identified

The human remains discovered in the woods at Exit 49 in Laurel County have been positively identified as Joseph Couch, who was found by YouTube content creators and Kentucky State Police on Wednesday.

Kentucky State Police shares, “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.”

The body found earlier Wednesday by a couple live-streaming their search of the woods was preliminarily identified as that of Joseph Couch based on unnamed items at the scene with the body has led law enforcement to believe it was Couch they had found. A weapon was also found with the body.

Preliminary autopsy results have determined the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

“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 Kentucky's Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William 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.”

A manhunt that lasted since Saturday, Sept. 7 when Couch is believed to have fired shots at passing motorists along I-75, is over. Just earlier this week, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky State Police were scaling back their search of the vast Daniel Boone National Forest where Couch was believed to be.

Initial reports from KSP Trooper Scottie Pennington indicated KSP had found the body, but they were joined by YouTube content creators Fred and Sheila McCoy, who troopers came across during their search. The troopers and McCoys were reportedly tracking vultures in the sky circling the area. When they approached, the moment was captured on video as they were live-streaming their search efforts when they found the remains. They were live-streaming on their YouTube channel “Hatfield and McCoy Museum Adventures.”

It was said in a press conference Wednesday evening the couple will be entitled to a monetary reward that was announced for finding Couch. 

“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 Phillip Burnett Jr. 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.”

An official autopsy report will not be released until toxicology results are back.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office will continue the investigation into the I-75 shooting.

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A release from Kentucky State Police contributed to this story.