In the quiet hills of Martin County, Kentucky, a grim discovery was made on March 23, 2018, that would unravel a story of violence and loss. Thirty-one-year-old Amber Lockard of Huddy, a female, found herself at the center of a tragedy that claimed three lives. She, along with 20-year-old Micah Sammons of Kimper and 26-year-old Dereck L. James of Huddy, were found at an abandoned strip mine in the Goff Hollow area near the Pike County line.
While Sammons and James were pronounced dead at
the scene from gunshot wounds, Lockard was found clinging to life and was rushed to a nearby hospital. For five days, she fought for survival, but ultimately succumbed to her injuries on March 27, 2018. Her death officially turned the case into a triple homicide investigation, leaving a community in shock and a family devastated. Lockard's vehicle, which was missing from the scene, was discovered in West Virginia the day after her death, adding another layer to the unfolding investigation.
The search for answers led authorities to 27-year-old Lance Ward of Williamson, West Virginia. In May 2018, a Martin County grand jury indicted Ward on three counts of murder and two counts of first-degree robbery in connection with the deaths of Lockard, Sammons, and James. Initially, Ward pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, in a turn of events, he later changed his plea.
In January 2020, Lance Ward pleaded guilty to three counts of murder. The two robbery charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. The case, which had drawn significant attention, saw prosecutors initially file to seek the death penalty. Ward was subsequently sentenced for his role in the brutal slayings that cut short the lives of three young people.
