Local man, missing since Monday, found dead by search crews

Emergency officials who had been searching the Bee Creek area for a man missing since Monday brought the effort to a close Wednesday evening after making a gruesome discovery.

Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses said Richard Martin, 62, was found dead about 5:11 p.m. He was discovered about three quarters of a mile from his home. Officials say he had apparently gotten into an argument with his wife, and threatened to kill himself before heading into the woods.

Martin was last seen on a four-wheeler Monday possibly armed with handguns. Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley said Martin appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

About 50 searchers combed the woods Wednesday looking for Martin. His body was finally discovered by a search dog team.

Moses said sheriff’s deputy Todd Shelley initially searched for Martin on a four-wheeler without success, and that he was contacted about 11 p.m. Monday to organize a search.

The search started in earnest about midnight and was suspended about 3 a.m. due to heavy fog in the area, Moses said.

Organizations taking part in the search Monday included Woodbine, Oak Grove and Williamsburg volunteer fire departments in addition to the sheriff’s department among other organizations and neighbors.

Moses said Tuesday morning that officials searched the area around Casey Road where Martin lived and had also searched the Stoney Fork area.

Emergency officials used about nine ATV type vehicles in the search Monday, and more were expected to be in use when the search resumed about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Kentucky Emergency Management, Kentucky State Police and several neighbors joined the search Tuesday along with a couple of search dogs.

A Kentucky State Police helicopter also assisted with the search for a couple of hours Tuesday, Moses noted.
Moses said one problem is that the area is large with various trails Martin could have taken.

"You could go numerous places on it. There are miles and miles of trails," Moses added.