Hinkle, Ky. - On April 20, 2018 at 8:52 a.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call about a body being found off Hinkle Branch Road in the Hinkle community of Knox County. Troopers and Detectives from Post 10 responded to the scene and began an investigation.
Preliminary investigation indicates at approximately 8:50 a.m. inmates with Bell County Forestry Service along with guards were attempting to clean up a dump site over an embankment when a body was discovered. Troopers arrived on the scene and discovered a male individual had been murdered and placed into the dump site. Knox County Coroner Mike Blevins was contacted and also assisted with the investigation. The Knox County SORT team was also notify and assisted with recovering the body.
The body has been identified as Michael Sowders (32) of Barbourville and has been sent off to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
The cause of death is still under investigation and KSP will release more information as it comes available. Also as Detectives continue their investigation, no one has been placed into custody at this time.
Kentucky State Police Detective Jake Wilson is continuing the investigation.
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UPDATE
Kentucky State Police Post 10 Harlan confirms the cause of death to Mr. Sowders was from a gunshot wound. At this time KSP is continuing to investigate and no charges have been filed.
Case is continuing by Det. Jake Wilson.
