In a tragic event that unfolded in Pikeville, Kentucky, Nicholas 'Nick' Dean Hopkins, a 36-year-old Caucasian male, was found deceased on Thursday, March 17, 2016. Hopkins, a promising medical student at the University of Pikeville, was discovered in an apartment on Main Street with gunshot wounds. Originally from Florence, Kentucky, he was known for his diverse interests which included ice skating, gymnastics, diving, and taekwondo, though his greatest joy was said to be spending time with his
family and friends.
Authorities were led to the scene after a request for a welfare check on the occupants of the apartment. Inside, they found not only Nicholas Hopkins but also 22-year-old Travis L. Thompson of Independence, Kentucky, who was also deceased from a gunshot wound. The initial investigation conducted by the Pikeville Police Department pointed towards a murder-suicide, with evidence from the scene suggesting that Hopkins was the victim.
The Pikeville Police Department continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two Northern Kentucky men. However, based on the evidence gathered at the apartment, the case was classified as a murder-suicide. As a result of this conclusion, no additional suspects were sought, and no arrests were made in connection with the incident. The motive and the specific events that transpired leading up to the tragic outcome have not been publicly detailed by law enforcement.
