Corbin Couple indicted for murder of woman’s mother

A Corbin couple charged in the murder of the woman’s mother, Sherry Rose, in June were indicted Friday by a Laurel County grand jury.

Joseph Craig McFadden, 31, and his wife, Christie Elizabeth McFadden, 28, were each indicted on charges of murder, theft by unlawful taking of the value of $500 or more, but less than $10,000, tampering with physical evidence and first-degree fleeing or evading police.

The indictment alleges that Joseph and Christie McFadden stabbed Sherry Rose to death, took $500 in cash, and then, with the help of co-defendants, Michael Hinkle, 48, and Cody Allen Hinkle, 24, both of London, cleaned up the crime scene and dumped the body in Clay County.

Laurel County Sheriff’s detectives began an investigation on June 12 after Rose’s co-workers at the Corbin Walmart reported her missing.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said upon questioning by detective, Christie and Joseph McFadden said that there had been an argument at the home on Thoroughbred Lane off of Ky. 1223, which they shared with Rose. At some point during the argument, the knife came out and a struggle ensued during which Rose suffered a fatal stab wound.

“Their contention is that they were struggling over the knife and she stabbed herself,” Acciardo said of the couple adding that deputies have not recovered the knife.

“We may never know what the argument was about,” Acciardo added.

In an interview at the Laurel County Correctional Facility on June 19, Christie McFadden said Sherry Rose was constantly attempting to hurt her and her child.

On the day of the fatal incident, Christie McFadden said that when she told her mother she and Joseph were going to leave, Rose became angry, grabbing a steak knife out of nowhere and pinning her against the wall.

“She (Rose) has knives everywhere. I don’t know where she got it from,” Christie McFadden said during the interview.

According to Christie McFadden, when Rose grabbed her, Joseph McFadden came to her defense, strangling Rose. However, as Rose began to pass out, Joseph McFadden let go of her, and Rose fell on the knife.

Acciardo said records indicated that Rose’s debit card had been used at the ATM located at the Corbin Walmart to withdraw the $500 in cash.

“They are on surveillance using the ATM,” Acciardo said of the couple adding that they went on to purchase cleaning materials including mops, bleach and ammonia.

Deputies said Christie and Joseph McFadden then cleaned up the scene and stuffed Rose’s body in a suitcase, using her Honda Civic to transport it to Roark Road off of Ky. 229 near the Knox/Laurel County line where they met the Hinkles.

“They are acquaintances,” Acciardo said when asked how the McFaddens knew the Hinkles.

“After we brought the McFaddens in, we asked where Rose was and that’s when they told us about the other people involved,” he said.

Upon meeting, deputies said the foursome transferred the body from the suitcase to a blanket and tent.

The Hinkles then used a pickup truck to drive the body to Reynolds Road off of East Ky. 80 in Clay County and dumped it over an embankment.

“I think they were just helping them out because they knew them,” Acciardo said.

Acciardo said when deputies questioned the Hinkles concerning what happened to the body, they revealed where they had dumped it.

The defendants each pleaded not guilty to the charges at their arraignment Friday in Laurel Circuit Court.

Judge Greg Lay set the case for a pretrial hearing at 9 a.m. on Aug. 27.

Christie and Joseph McFadden remain in custody. Bond for each is set at $250,000 cash.

Michael and Cody Hinkle, who are each charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence, have both been released from custody on separate $10,000, fully secured bonds.