On the afternoon of Saturday, December 20, 2025, authorities were called to a residence on Left Fork Holly Road in Booneville, located in Owsley County, Kentucky. Upon arrival just before 2:00 p.m., Kentucky State Police and the Owsley County Sheriff’s Department discovered the body of 51-year-old Crystal Sexton inside the home. The Owsley County Coroner pronounced the female victim dead at the scene, with court documents later revealing she had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Following the discovery, law enforcement detained 55-year-old Cloyd Burkhart, who was also at the residence. Investigators determined that an altercation had occurred between Sexton and Burkhart, who were both identified as residents of Booneville. According to the arrest citation, the two were arguing over a firearm when Sexton allegedly pointed the weapon at Burkhart. Police state that Burkhart then disarmed her and shot her as she was turning away.
Burkhart was arrested without incident and lodged in the Three Forks Regional Jail. He faces charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held on a $2 million bond, with his arraignment scheduled for January 8, 2026, in Owsley District Court. The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the Kentucky State Police.
