A 36-year-old White male named Damian Poole was found dead in his Stearns, Kentucky, residence after being reported missing by his mother on September 9, 2025, when he did not arrive for a planned family visit. Originally from Monument, Colorado, Poole had relocated to a home on Farm Ridge Road with his partner, Daniel Kearney, 39. Concerns for his welfare led the McCreary County Sheriff's Office to execute a search warrant at his home on September 11.
Upon entering the residence, which
was described as a camper, deputies made a grim discovery. Poole's body was found in a back room, covered with blankets, and showing signs of having been there for a significant amount of time. An autopsy would later confirm he died from two gunshot wounds to the head. His ankles were bound with a nylon rope, and investigators believed his body had been moved from where he was killed. Adding to the grim scene, Poole's two dogs were also found shot to death inside the home.
The investigation quickly focused on Poole's partner, Daniel Kearney, who was at the residence when police arrived. Neighbors described the couple's relationship as tumultuous, recalling frequent, loud arguments and even hearing gunshots on previous occasions. When neighbors had previously asked about Poole's whereabouts, Kearney had given varying accounts, suggesting Poole had gone to Michigan or returned to Colorado. Witnesses characterized Kearney as aggressive and violent.
Evidence found at the scene further implicated Kearney. Investigators discovered an AR-style rifle, several other firearms, bullet holes, and pools of blood. Perhaps the most damning piece of evidence was a handwritten checklist. This 'to-do list' detailed steps for cleaning the residence, getting rid of evidence, using paint to cover stains, and disposing of Poole's body, which included plans to burn evidence and scatter the ashes along highways in other states. Daniel Kearney was arrested on September 12 and charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and second-degree cruelty to animals. He was taken to the Knox County Detention Center and held on a $1 million bond.
