Sheriff John Root would like to thank area citizens for their tips and information regarding this investigation
Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that on a Wednesday afternoon March 21, 2018 at approximately 4:58 P.M. after receiving a phoned in tip on the possible whereabouts of a missing person/person of interest regarding a welfare check regarding a murder investigation being conducted by Sheriff John Root and the detective unit of the Laurel County Sheriff's office.
The suspect individual, Kenneth W. Lipscomb age 55 of London had apparently been observed driving his white colored Ford F-150 with camper shell traveling out Flatwoods Road toward the Laurel Lake, approximately 12 miles southwest of London.
Laurel County Sheriff's deputies along with a KSP trooper and a U.S. Forest Service Officer responded to the area and observed the vehicle traveling away from the lake, turned on the vehicle and there was a short pursuit lasting approximately one and 1/2 miles.
The vehicle left the roadway traveling into a field -Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Jake Miller along with KSP Trooper Chris Saunders and US forest service Officer Bob O'Neill approached the vehicle (pictured left) driven by Lipscomb (pictured right).
Before officers could get to the drivers door, Lipscomb shot himself in the chest with a 45 caliber pistol.
Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County was notified and responded to the scene and removed Lipscomb who was transported to Baptist Healthcare Hospital Corbin where he was later pronounced deceased.2018-03-21
In the related investigation, the deceased individual found at Lipscomb's residence has not yet been positively identified, however, the investigation is continuing with additional testing including dental records being conducted to make that identification.
Sheriff's detectives report that the deceased individual found in the residence died from a single gunshot wound to the chest by a 45 caliber weapon.
Sheriff John Root would like to thank area citizens for their tips and information regarding this investigation.
Laurel Sheriff's Detective Chris Edwards along with Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry, and Detective Kyle Gray continue to investigate the murder of the deceased individual found in Kenneth Lipscomb's residence, and the apparent suicide of Lipscomb off Flatwoods Road following a short pursuit with officers.
Officers assisting at the scene included - For the Laurel County Sheriff's Office: Laurel County Sheriff John Root, Detective Chris Edwards, Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry, Detective Kyle Gray, Maj. Rodney VanZant, Capt. Chuck Johnson, Lieut. Greg Poynter, Sgt. John Inman, Deputy Jake Miller, Deputy Travis Napier, Deputy Rick Cloyd, and Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.
Also assisting was: KSP Trooper Chris Saunders and other KSP Troopers.
US forest Service Ofc. Bob O'Neill.
Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County
Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling
