In the quiet town of London, Kentucky, a deeply respected and beloved pastor, Johnny Arthur Benge, a 69-year-old male, met a tragic and violent end in September of 2020. His life, dedicated to his faith and community, was cut short in an event that shook the foundations of his peaceful existence. On September 15th, Johnny, along with his wife Mary, was found deceased in their home, both having suffered from multiple gunshot wounds.
The initial discovery was made by a concerned family member, leading to a swift investigation by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
The ensuing investigation quickly pointed towards a suspect close to home. Their son, 40-year-old Joseph L. Benge, was identified as the primary suspect in the double homicide. Following the discovery of his parents' bodies, Joseph had fled the scene in the family's car, prompting a search by law enforcement. Authorities were able to track his location through his cell phone, leading to his apprehension by the Kentucky State Police in Mayfield, approximately 300 miles away from the scene of the crime.
Joseph L. Benge was taken into custody without incident and subsequently charged with two counts of murder, robbery, and theft of a vehicle. A search of the vehicle he was driving revealed multiple firearms and body armor. While a definitive motive for the killings was not immediately released by the authorities, it was reported that Joseph had a history of mental health concerns, having been the subject of Golden Alerts after going missing on previous occasions. The community, left to grapple with the shocking loss of a respected pastor and his wife, was faced with the difficult reality of a family shattered by an unthinkable act of violence.
