CNN — When a gunman perched atop a cliff’s ledge opened fire on a dozen cars on Kentucky’s Interstate 75, wounding five people, it permeated surrounding communities with fear – and sent one couple into the woods to join the dayslong manhunt for the assailant.
For eleven days, officers scoured the vast, rugged wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest in the manhunt for 32-year-old suspect Joseph Couch, who authorities say texted a woman before the shooting that he planned to “kill a lot of people” and then “kill myself afterwards.”
Five days into the unsuccessful manhunt, Fred and Sheila McCoy set out in search for Couch in the dense wilderness – hoping for a piece of the $35,000 reward was available for information leading to Couch’s capture.
“You have to understand, this guy has been stressing this community out. Anyone who can sit up on top of a hill and take pop shots at cars is dangerous.” – Fred McCoy
As Couch continued to evade capture day after day, schools were closed, authorities pleaded for nearby residents to avoid the wilderness, businesses were forced to lock their doors to customers and thousands of tips poured in from several states.
While community members donated blood to help the five hospitalized victims, law enforcement combed the colossal forest spanning an area larger than Los Angeles and New York City combined.
After grappling with treacherous terrain, including sinkholes, caves and thick brush they had to use machetes to slice through, authorities were still unable to locate Couch.
Then on Wednesday, the search came to end.
In a 30-minute livestream on their YouTube channel, the McCoys told viewers they noticed a group of vultures swarming an area. When they neared it, they said a strong foul smell emanated from the same spot.
“My wife smelled something strong … ”
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