A couple livestreaming their search in Kentucky made a grim discovery, stumbling upon a body near Interstate 75.
Authorities believe the body is that of Joseph A. Couch, a suspect involved in a shooting earlier this month that wounded five people.
According to Fox News, Kentucky State Police announced on Wednesday that items found near the body suggest it belonged to Couch, 32, of Woodbine. The remains have been sent for official identification.
Fred and Sheila McCoy, a couple known for their YouTube channel "Hatfield McCoy Museum Adventures," were livestreaming their search near exit 49 off I-75 when they discovered the body.
After alerting state troopers, police concluded the body may be Couch’s, citing articles of clothing found nearby.
The search for Couch had been underway since September 7, when he opened fire along I-75, causing injuries to multiple individuals. Law enforcement teams recovered an AR-15 rifle and a small SUV registered to Couch during their investigation.
State authorities and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently intensified efforts to locate Couch, shifting resources to the community as part of a multi-agency manhunt.
Their search focused on a rugged area in southeastern Kentucky where the shooting occurred. Police believe Couch had disappeared into the woods following the attack, prompting weeks of searching.
The live-streamed discovery and subsequent identification of the body marked a significant moment in the investigation.
Upon finding the body, officers pointed to articles of clothing as evidence linking it to Couch. Authorities had been searching for the suspect since the shooting unfolded near Exit 49 in early September, and the discovery brought some closure to the investigation.
Police continue to await confirmation from the coroner’s office, which will officially determine if the body is indeed Couch’s.
Wednesday's discovery came just a day after law enforcement officials announced they would shift resources into the area to intensify the search for Couch, emphasizing their commitment to bringing the case to a close.
The body found by a couple near I-75 is believed to be Joseph Couch, the suspect in a shooting that left five people injured earlier this month. Kentucky State Police are working to confirm the identity through the coroner's office after articles of clothing suggested it was Couch. The search for Couch had been ongoing since September 7, when law enforcement recovered his vehicle and weapon at the scene of the attack.
