Man charged with murder after body found at McCreary County home

STEARNS, Ky. – Further details are now available surrounding a murder investigation in McCreary County.

Daniel A. Kearney, 39, of Stearns is currently charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and second-degree cruelty to animals.

This follows a call from the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office to the Kentucky State Police regarding a missing person investigation involving Damian A. Poole, 36, of Monument, Colorado.

In a uniform citation obtained by WNKY News 40 on Monday, authorities state they obtained a search warrant for a residence on Farm Ridge Road in Stearns, where Poole had been living.

Authorities say they located a body believed to be Poole with multiple gunshot wounds. MCSD secured the scene before KSP’s arrival.

The citation states the body has been in the residence for an “extended period of time” and showed decomposition.

The victim was pronounced dead by the McCreary County Coroner late Thursday evening.

The citation states two dogs belonging to Poole had been fatally shot as well.

In addition, the citation states authorities located a checklist of things to do, which was apparent it was a list to “clean up the residence, get rid of evidence, paint everything with Kilz and dispose of a body,” along with “burning anything left that could be burnt.”

Authorities say Kearney was arrested on Sept. 12. Poole had been reported missing on Sept. 9, according to authorities.

Kearney remains at the Knox County Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing.