Artemus, Ky. - On April 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call about a body found along the Cumberland River in the Artemus community of Knox County. Detectives and troopers from Post 10 responded to the scene and began working a death investigation.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort was able to identify the body located in the Cumberland River as Johnny Carnes, 42, of Pineville.
Preliminary investigation indicates three kayakers were traveling down the Cumberland River when they discovered a decomposed body in debris located in the river. The Knox County Coroner, Mike Blevins was notified and assisted with the scene. The body was recovered by the Knox County Special Operations Response Team.
The deceased body will be sent off to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy to determine the identification and cause of death.
KSP Detective Justin Barton is continuing the investigation. Also assisted at the scene were members of the Knox County Coroner’s Office and members of the Knox County Special Operations Response Team.
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UPDATE
On April 13, 2018 the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort was able to identify the body located in the Cumberland River as Johnny Carnes, 42, of Pineville. Mr. Carnes went missing in the Pineville area on February 6, 2018. According to the autopsy, no foul play is suspected. Preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Carnes died from an apparent drowning. Case is still under investigation by Det. Justin Barton.
(Below is an attached press release and photo from when Mr. Carnes went missing in February).
Missing person in Bell County
Pineville, Ky. (February 8, 2018) - On February 6, 2018 Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call about a missing individual in Bell County. Trooper Keith Baker responded and began an investigation after family members notified Post.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Johnny Carnes, 42, of Pineville was last seen walking on the rail road tracks between Belcher Road and Dorton Branch located in the Pineville community of Bell County. Mr. Carnes was last seen wearing blue jeans, camouflage boots and a burnt orange hoodie while walking late at night on the tracks. Mr. Carnes is a white male weighing 130 lbs, and 6’4’’. He also has short black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a heart on his chest and a “Nike Swoosh “on his upper arm.
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is urged to contact KSP Post 10 Harlan at 606-573-3131. Case is still under investigation by Det. Justin Barton.
