By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor
Acting on their latest tip Monday — this time from a suspect in jail — police were confident they had finally pinpointed the location of Jeremy Johnson’s remains.
Officers with the Kentucky State Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Department began searching the creek behind Daniel Grubb’s trailer at about 3 p.m. Monday and continued all night and all day Tuesday. A county backhoe was brought in to dredge a portion of the creek where Bobbie Ray Walters told officers they would find Johnson’s body.
Both Walters and Grubb were charged this month with tampering with physical evidence for allegedly moving Johnson’s body. Both have pleaded not guilty.
On Tuesday, Knox County Sheriff John Pickard brought Walters from jail to the site — between KY 6 and Smith Hollow Road in Knox County — and asked him to point out the location of the body.
The circumstances of Johnson’s presumed death are still unclear, but Walters told officers on Tuesday that he and two others had carried the body from Grubb’s trailer and buried him in the dry creek bed last summer.
Two days of searching revealed nothing and officers dug eight feet deep in some places along the creek. Walters continued to insist the body was in the area, but by Tuesday evening, the search was called off without any success.
Johnson, 25, of Woodbine, was last seen leaving the now defunct Angels & Wings Restaurant in Corbin last June. About a month after his disappearance his car was found on a rural path off of KY 459, about four miles from Johnson’s home, but there was no sign of Johnson.
Neither Grubb nor Walters has been charged with Johnson’s death.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photo by Samantha Swindler
Discussion
Still searching
Officers find nothing after a two-day search behind Grubb’s trailer
- Local News
-
-
Barbourville’s done. What’s next, Corbin?
With Barbourville saying “No” to alcohol sales by the drink and by the package Tuesday night, the attention now turns to Corbin’s vote just six days away — Tuesday, Feb. 14.
-
Whitley man missing since Monday
First responders and neighborhood volunteers will continue their search Wednesday at 11 a.m. for a Whitley County man who’s been missing for two days.
-
Former sheriff Hodge appears in Whitley County Circuit Court
Former Whitley County sheriff Lawrence Hodge appeared in Whitley Circuit Court Monday, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble.
-
Search underway for man in Whitley County - Online Exclusive
A ground search is currently underway in the Bee Creek area of Whitley County for a 63-year-old man who has been missing since yesterday, according to Woodbine Fire Department Chief Rick Fore.
Richard "Dick" Martin hasn't been seen since he left his house about 11:30 a.m. Monday. He was riding a red Honda ATV. -
Alcohol election underway in Barbourville
Just before noon today (Tuesday) about 500 Barbourville residents had voted in the local option election that will decide if alcohol can be sold in the city.
-
W’burg jewelry thieves arrested
Williamsburg men connected to at least 10 burglaries have been arrested, according to Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell.
-
New temporary tag now on motorcycle market
A new temporary license tag for motorcycles was presented Monday to the owners of London’s Wildcat Harley-Davidson by Laurel County Clerk Dean Johnson.
-
Police search for stolen state truck
Police continued their search Monday night for a Kentucky Department of Transportation truck after the 2005 model white Chevy S-10 Blazer was stolen from the parking lot Sunday night near the Knox County Ambulance Service (EMS Station 2) office in East Corbin.
-
Animal ordinance to be discussed in London
In a meeting that lasted about an hour, the London City Council decided to have the animal ordinance it has been discussing for several months ready to be seriously considered at the March meeting.
-
B’ville alcohol vote is Tuesday
The first local option election in the Tri-County area will be held Tuesday at Barbourville’s Kentucky National Guard armory on Manchester Street.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Barbourville’s done. What’s next, Corbin?
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
