Shannon Harkins (43) was reported missing to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department on February 12, 2019
UPDATE: On February 19, 2019 the autopsy identified the female as Shannon Harkins (43) of Flat Lick, Ky. Ms. Harkins was reported missing to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department on February 12, 2019 by her son. KSP was notified that the Knox County Sheriff’s Department towed in a vehicle belonging to Ms. Harkins that was located at the end of Ed Harp Lane on January 7, 2019.
The autopsy showed that Ms. Harkins had no trauma to her body. At this time, drowning and hypothermia can’t be ruled out due to not having a time line on how long the body had been outside. KSP is waiting on toxicology reports which will take approximately two weeks.
KSP is continuing to investigate when Ms. Harkins went missing and how her body ended up approximately 150 yards from where the vehicle was located on January 7th.
Case is still under investigation by Det. Justin Barton.
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Barbourville, Ky. (February 18, 2019) - On February 18, 2019 at 11:18 a.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call from Knox County Dispatch requesting assistance on Ed Harp Lane in the Barbourville community of Knox County.
KSP was notified that a deceased female had been located in a shallow creek at the end of Ed Harp Lane in a wooded area.
Preliminary investigation indicates the female had been deceased for several days due to the state of the body. Knox County Deputy Coroner pronounced the female decease at the scene. The body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
At this time KSP can’t confirm the identity nor the cause of death. KSP is currently looking into any missing person cases in the area. Knox County Sheriff’s Dept. is currently working a missing person case involving a female however KSP can’t confirm until the female is identified.
The deceased body was located by an individual walking in the area.
Case is under investigation by Det. Justin Barton. Also assisted at the scene were Knox County Sheriff’s Dept. and Knox County Coroner’s Office.
