State police conducting murder investigation in Pike County

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky State Police is conducting a murder investigation in Pike County.

According to a release, KSP responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive man in the Hell Community of Pike County on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Troopers responded to Allegheny Road and discovered a man dead near the road.

KSP’s initial investigation showed that Brent Wooten, 45, of Elkhorn, sustained an injury to his left side. The Pike County Coroner’s Office pronounced Wooten dead at the scene.

Wooten’s body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of Wooten’s death.

On September 8, KSP announced that continued investigation shows Wooten’s death involved foul play.

KSP arrested Brandon Blackburn, and he is currently charged with murder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and persistent felony offender. He was lodged at the Pike County Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing.