In a tragic turn of events, authorities have discovered a body in the vicinity where the I-75 mass shooting occurred in Laurel County, Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police announced the grim discovery near Exit 49 and are now working to confirm the identity of the deceased individual.

After the shooting incident on September 7, where Joseph Couch opened fire on I-75 near Exit 49, five individuals were injured but thankfully survived. Ever since the incident, law enforcement agencies have been on high alert in their pursuit of Couch, who has evaded capture thus far.

The body was found just a day after Governor Andy Beshear and leaders of the Kentucky law enforcement announced the adjustment of resource deployment in the ongoing manhunt. This decision aimed to alleviate the strain on local agencies, as they had been stretched thin during the extensive search efforts. Law enforcement officials had received hundreds of tips from the community and scoured over 28,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest in their quest to locate Couch.

Trooper Scottie Pennington from the Kentucky State Police shared, "Kentucky State Police troopers have located a body in the vicinity of exit 49 in Laurel County, and detectives are working diligently to confirm the identity."

As investigations continue, authorities are intensifying their efforts to establish the identity of the found body. Once the identity is confirmed, it will shed light on potential connections to the I-75 mass shooting and allow for further progress in the ongoing criminal investigation.

The discovery of the body serves as a grim reminder of the impact of the mass shooting incident, leaving the community mourning and law enforcement agencies continued in their quest for justice.