Body of Kentucky Freeway Shooter Identified, Cause of Death Confirmed

The body of Joseph Couch, the alleged gunman behind a shooting on Interstate 75 in Kentucky that injured five people, has been identified, and the cause of death has been determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The body of Joseph Couch, the alleged gunman accused of opening fire on a freeway earlier this month and injuring five people, was found this week near Interstate 75 in Kentucky.

Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the body found in Laurel County was positively identified as Joseph Couch. "We appreciate everyone involved in the search and are grateful no one else has been hurt," Beshear said in a statement. "We will continue to be there for those injured as well as the Laurel County community as they recover from this tragic situation."

Body of Kentucky Freeway Shooter Identified, Cause of Death Confirmed

His office said Kentucky’s chief medical examiner, Dr. William Ralston, and a state police crime lab confirmed the identity using DNA extracted from Couch's bone.

Couch, 32, allegedly opened fire on the freeway Sept. 7 and injured five people, all of whom survived. He fled, and a days-long search for him ensued.

Body of Kentucky Freeway Shooter Identified, Cause of Death Confirmed

His body was found this week by Fred and Sheila McCoy, Kentucky residents who typically spend their retired days creating YouTube videos about the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud. They discovered the body after spending days in rugged terrain searching for Couch.

On Thursday, Ralston said the cause of Couch's death was consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

Body of Kentucky Freeway Shooter Identified, Cause of Death Confirmed

He added that the decomposition of the body and a soft tissue DNA test were inconclusive. The official autopsy report will not be released until toxicology results return.

Law enforcement agencies searched for Couch for several days. (Laurel County Sheriff's Office)

Body of Kentucky Freeway Shooter Identified, Cause of Death Confirmed

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"I appreciate the medical examiner’s office and our crime lab personnel for prioritizing this case so that the citizens of Laurel County can begin their journey to healing and recovery, and the commonwealth can rest easy," Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett said.

"This manhunt was the biggest team effort I have seen in my almost 30-year law enforcement career.

"We will forever be grateful for the assistance and resources provided by our local, state and federal partners."

The shooting on Sept. 7 occurred on a busy stretch of Interstate 75 near Berea, Kentucky. Couch allegedly opened fire on vehicles, striking five people. All of the victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Couch fled the scene and was later identified as the suspect. A massive manhunt was launched, with law enforcement officers from multiple agencies searching for him.

The search for Couch was aided by the McCoys, who used their knowledge of the area to help locate the suspect. The couple found Couch's body on Wednesday in a wooded area near Interstate 75.

The identification of Couch's body and the confirmation of his cause of death bring an end to the manhunt and allow the community to begin the healing process.