In the quiet community of Rosine, Kentucky, the life of 59-year-old Johnnie Hayes was cut short in a violent act that unfolded on the evening of January 16, 2019. Hayes was discovered deceased inside a vehicle on Bluff Street, the victim of two gunshot wounds inflicted by a small-caliber firearm. His death prompted an investigation by the Ohio County Sheriff's Office, which was aided by the recovery of a home security video system from a nearby residence.
The investigation into Hayes's death led to the apprehension of three individuals. Adam Lacefield, a 30-year-old man from Caneyville, was initially charged with first-degree assault, a charge that was later upgraded to murder. Also arrested were two women: Wanda Ferguson, 39, identified as Hayes's former girlfriend, and Mandy Decker, 40, of Beaver Dam. Ferguson faced charges of tampering with physical evidence, possession of methamphetamine, and failure to report a dead body. Decker was charged with possession of methamphetamine and failure to report a dead body. Lacefield was arrested on the night of the killing on an outstanding warrant, while Decker was arrested the following day, and Ferguson two days later.
The events leading up to Hayes's death suggest a period of preceding turmoil. In late November of the previous year, both Hayes and Ferguson had been shot at while pursuing would-be burglars in a vehicle. Roughly two weeks after that incident, an explosive device was found in Hayes's barn. It remains unclear if these prior events were connected to his eventual murder. All three suspects were lodged in the Ohio County Detention Center.
