Kentucky Couple's "Date Night" End Highway Shooter Manhunt

Source: WKYT / Youtube

In a surprising twist, a Kentucky couple may have played a pivotal role in ending a manhunt for a highway shooter by turning their search into a unique “date night” adventure.

The Highway Shooting That Shocked Kentucky

Since September 7th, authorities in eastern Kentucky had been searching for 32-year-old Joseph Couch, the alleged gunman who opened fire on several vehicles traveling along I-75. Couch, perched on a cliff overlooking the interstate, reportedly shot at nearly a dozen cars, injuring five people. Thankfully, all victims are expected to recover.

After fleeing the scene, Couch was believed to have retreated into the vast Daniel Boone National Forest, sparking a two-week manhunt. Enter Fred and Sheila McCoy, a local couple with a passion for adventure, who decided to help out in an unusual way.

Known for their YouTube channel, Hatfield and McCoy Museum Adventures, the couple began live-streaming their search.  What started as an unusual “date night” activity soon turned into a critical lead. After hours of searching and using basic tracking skills, the McCoys stumbled upon a body, believed to be that of Joseph Couch.

How the McCoys Made Their Discovery

During their live stream, the couple noticed vultures circling the area—a telltale sign of a body. “We were looking anywhere we could,” Fred McCoy told WKYT. “When we saw the vultures, we knew something was there.” The following days, the number of vultures doubled, leading the McCoys to discover the body on a Monday afternoon.

Although Kentucky State Police are still working to confirm the identity, Fred McCoy is confident they’ve found the man. While the couple admitted that the reward money was part of their motivation, they said their main goal was to help restore peace to their community.

Fred McCoy gave his interview wearing a shirt that read “Caution: Man at Work,” adding an unexpected layer to this already wild Kentucky tale.

Watch the full interview below: