Kentucky social worker named as victim in alleged murder-suicide

BEATTYVILLE, Ky. – A woman that died in an apparent murder-suicide has been identified as a Kentucky social worker that served the Commonwealth.

According to the Kentucky State Police, Lee County Sheriff Joe Lucas notified KSP Post 7 on Monday around 3:22 p.m. that he had located two dead individuals during a welfare check at a home on Sally Davis Road in Lee County.

Troopers say a preliminary investigation shows an incident involved 48-year-old Bearl D. Ashcraft Jr. of Beattyville and his girlfriend, 28-year-old Hayley M. Davidson, also of Beattyville.

Authorities say they learned Ashcraft fatally shot Davidson before fatally shooting himself.

According to troopers, both individuals had fatal gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Lee County Coroner’s Office.

Further details will be released as they become available.

Anyone with information related to this incident may contact the KSP Richmond Post at 859-623-4710.

Gov. Andy Beshear has shared the following statement regarding the incident: