In the late spring of 2018, the small community of Gunlock, Kentucky, was rocked by the discovery of the body of one of its own. Joseph Smithers, a 33-year-old White / Caucasian male, was found deceased on May 26, 2018. His body was located in a creek in the surrounding Magoffin County. The county coroner was called to the scene and officially pronounced him dead.
An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. The results of the autopsy were not immediately released to the public, leaving a community to wonder about the circumstances that led to the young man's demise. It was later revealed that Smithers had been a victim of gun violence, having been shot. This revelation turned a tragic death into a homicide investigation, with the Kentucky State Police taking the lead on the case.
Despite the ongoing investigation by detectives, including a Detective Newsome, there have been no arrests made in connection with Joseph Smithers' death. Law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspects or released information about a possible motive for the shooting. The case remains an open and active investigation, a lingering question in the minds of those who knew Joseph Smithers and a somber chapter in the history of the quiet Kentucky community. The lack of resolution has left a void, with the community and authorities still seeking the answers that might bring a measure of justice for his untimely death.
