Kentucky authorities have located the body of 32-year-old Joseph Couch, the suspect in a highway shooting spree that injured five people. The discovery concludes a ten-day manhunt.
Couch, a former US Army reservist, was accused of shooting at 12 vehicles and wounding five individuals along Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky, on September 7. He had legally purchased an AR-15 rifle and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition on the same day and sent text messages to a woman indicating his intention to “kill a lot of people” and subsequently take his own life.
Following the shooting, Couch fled into the dense woods of southeastern Kentucky, prompting a massive search involving helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs. The search area, characterized by cliffs, caves, and thick brush, proved challenging for search teams.
The manhunt concluded when police discovered an unidentified body in a wooded area about eight miles north of London, guided by the presence of vultures and personal items found nearby. While official identification is pending, authorities are confident that the body is Couch’s.
Couch had served as a combat engineer in the US Army Reserve from 2013 to 2019 but had no deployments. During the search, investigators found Couch’s abandoned vehicle, a semi-automatic weapon believed to be used in the attack, and an Army-style duffel bag with his name.
Governor Andy Beshear condemned the violence, and local schools temporarily shifted to virtual learning due to safety concerns. Despite the intense search and over 400 tips from the public, the area can now find some relief as the investigation continues. All five shooting victims survived, though some sustained serious injuries.
