LeJunior, Ky. (December 28, 2016) – On December 22, 2016 Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call about an individual missing from the LeJunior community of Harlan County. Master Trooper Michael Cornett began a missing person’s investigation on Hershel Starrett, 58, of LeJunior.
On December 24, 2016 Troopers, Detectives, and members of the Harlan County Rescue Squad began searching the area around Mr. Starrett’s residence and was unable to locate him.
Throughout the investigation, Detectives were able to determine that Melissa Starrett, the wife of Hershel, and James Starrett a cousin to Hershel, had attempted to purchase a firearm for the purpose to cause injury or death to an individual other than Hershel Starrett.
On December 28, 2016 Det. Kevin Miller charged Melissa Starrett, 47, of LeJunior and James Starrett, 42 of LeJunior with attempted complicity to commit murder and receiving stolen property (firearm). Both were lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center. KSP Detectives say the charges against Melissa and James are not related in the disappearance of Hershel Starrett at this time.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hershel Starrett can contact Post 10 Harlan at 606-573-3131 and can remain anonymous. Hershel is a white male, 5’8’, 155 lbs, with brown eyes.
Case is still under investigation by Det. Kevin Miller.
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UPDATE
On February 6, 2017 KSP Det. Kevin Miller presented the evidence to the Harlan County Grand Jury which led to an indictment for both Melissa and James Starrett. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and receiving stolen property (firearm). Both are lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center. Case is still under investigation by Det. Kevin Miller.
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UPDATE
On August 3, 2017 at approximately 10:30 a.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call from an individual working for Phillips Tree Service about locating a possible human skull off of Philpot lane in the Shields community Harlan County. Detectives from Post 10 responded to the location and collected the remains. At this time KSP will be sending the remains to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for identification. Case is still under investigation by Det. Josh Howard.
UPDATE
On September 14, 2018 KSP Post 10 received confirmation from NAMUS and North Texas University the skull found on Philpot Lane belonged to Hershel Starrett. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Post 10 at 606-573-3131. The case is still under investigation by Det. Josh Howard.
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