BREAKING: Body found in Laurel County identified as Joseph Couch

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear has confirmed a body found in Laurel County has been positively identified as Joseph Couch.

The governor’s office confirmed Friday that Kentucky’s chief medical examiner Dr. William Ralston and the state police crime lab have confirmed the identity using DNA extracted from bone.

“We appreciate everyone involved in the search and are grateful no one else has been hurt,” Beshear said. “We will continue to be there for those injured as well as the Laurel County community as they recover from this tragic situation.”

Couch is the suspect accused of shooting five people Sept. 7 on Interstate Highway 75 in Laurel County.

On Sept. 18, Kentucky State Police troopers and two civilian individuals found the body in the deep brush behind exit 49 in Laurel County.

At the scene, authorities confirmed the personal effects and weapon found with the body were consistent with the suspect.

On Thursday in a press release, Ralston released the cause of death as a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

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

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office will continue to lead the 1-75 shooting investigation.