LEXINGTON, Ky. — After schools, businesses and churches put life on pause for more than a week in Laurel County, community members are preparing to get back into the routine of things while a Kentucky couple prepares for a big reward.
What You Need To Know
- A Kentucky couple found the body of an individual authorities believe is that of 32-year-old Joseph Couch
- Couch is the suspect of the Sept. 7 Interstate 75 mass shooting, where five people were wounded
- Fred and Sheila McCoy are receiving a $25,000 reward for their help with the search, which they haven't yet claimed
- The McCoys are set to receive $15,000 from Laurel County Crime Stoppers, in addition to $10,000 from a private donor
According to Kentucky State Police, Fred and Sheila McCoy discovered the body close to exit 49 as the two spent several days searching for the suspect of the Interstate 75 mass shooting, 32-year-old Joseph Couch.
“It was in a very challenging place," said Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., during his Sept. 19 Team Kentucky update. "It at least appears that in the act of killing himself, provided this is Joseph, he fell off a cliff ... I haven't seen it personally, but I think it's just very challenging terrain.”
This week, KSP shifted some of its focus away from the Daniel Boone National Forest after combing through more than 28,000 acres.
Jimmy Phelps, Cumberland Valley Crime Stoppers coordinator, said hoping to assist police with the search, they offered a $5,000 reward for tips and information.
“We try to base it on the amount of money that police officers may need to entice someone to call an appeal," Phelps said. "So in this case, we gave $5,000 and, of course, the reward money went on up.”
The McCoys are set to receive $15,000 from Laurel County Crime Stoppers, in addition to $10,000 from a private donor.
Phelps says while they typically assist with smaller rewards from $500 to $1,000, the money is never a call to action.
“At no time do we ever encourage anybody to go out and apprehend a fugitive," he said. "This is just for tips. This is a tip line to provide information on the location of the suspect, and we forward that information to the authorities.”
Phelps said right now, communities are breathing a sigh of relief as the situation comes to a close.
"Everybody was terrified ... it's just a calm that's come upon the entire community," he said. "Not just the citizens, but law enforcement as well, so it's been a blessing in disguise that this has ended."
Beshear thanked first responders, law enforcement and others assisting in the search.
“These individuals that commit these acts, I hope we forget their names as fast as we can, so I'm glad to bring this to a close." Beshear said.
Phelps said they've reached out to the McCoys, who have not yet claimted the $25,000 reward.