Kentucky State Police say the search for a missing Hopkinsville man ended Wednesday afternoon with the discovery of his body on a rural road in Trigg County.
Post 1 Public Information Officer Trooper Jay Thomas says the body found on Buffalo Road was identified as 35-year old Keith “Joey” Hayes of Hopkinsville, who had been reported missing since Tuesday in Christian County. Trooper Thomas says the preliminary investigation revealed foul play was involved in Hayes’ death. He says the preliminary autopsy conducted at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Madisonville Thursday morning showed Hayes died from multiple gunshot wounds. Through the investigation, KSP says they feel this is an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.
The Trigg County Sheriff’s Office was initially called to a location off of Buffalo Road around noon Wednesday for a body that was found. The Sheriff’s Office then requested KSP to respond to the scene to investigate the death, as well as the Trigg County Coroner’s Office.
According to the missing person report filed with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Hayes was last seen Wednesday morning around 2:30 by his boss, Jimmy Gentry on Princeton Road. Hayes was reportedly following Gentry to a job site.
KSP was also assisted on the scene by the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Cadiz Police Department, and Trigg County EMS.
Anyone with information regarding the homicide is asked to contact KSP Post 1 at (270) 856-3721.
