Police: Corbin man accused of fatally shooting wife claims it was suicide

What began as a call concerning a suicide in Corbin Wednesday turned into a murder investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Corbin man accused of fatally shooting his wife.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 38-year-old Joshua Tate Davenport in connection with the murder of 31-year-old Stephanie Steenbergen Davenport at a residence on North Florence Street off of U.S. 25W.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said deputies were called to the scene at approximately 12:34 p.m. where they found the body of a woman, later identified as Stephanie Davenport, who had been two times.

“She was shot once in the upper chest and once in the head,” Acciardo said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Through the course of an investigation by Detective Kyle Gray, it was determined that the couple had been involved in a domestic dispute when the shooting occurred.

“We may never know that,” Acciardo said when asked what the couple had been arguing about.

Deputies recovered a .38-caliber Rossi pistol at the scene, which was found underneath the body.

“He is saying it was a suicide,” Acciardo said of Joshua Davenport adding that detectives are still working to determine how the gun came into play.

Acciardo said the gun was a family heirloom, belonging to Stephanie Davenport.

Samples have been taken in order to perform gunshot residue tests. Acciardo said the samples have been sent to the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab in Frankfort.

The body was found behind the residence, which Acciardo said belongs to Joshua Davenport’s father.

Joshua Davenport’s mother, who was inside the residence, reported hearing the shots and then called 911.

Joshua Davenport was taken into custody at the scene and then arrested following question as the sheriff’s office.

Joshua Davenport is facing one count of murder – domestic violence.

He is being held on a $500,000 cash bond in the Laurel County Correctional Facility.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. Friday  in Laurel District Court.

According to Stephanie Davenport’s Facebook page, the couple had been married less than six months.

“We are heartbroken over the needless loss of our daughter, Stephanie. She was taken from us way too early and we trust that the judicial system will work to make sure the person or persons responsible are held accountable. We are blessed to have a loving family and church family to support us during this tragic time. We know that we will see Stephanie once again in Heaven,” family members said in a prepared statement.

Acciardo said, to his knowledge, deputies have not previously encountered the couple in a domestic situation.

Joshua Davenport had just been released from the Laurel County Correctional Facility on a $10,000 bond. According to the Laurel County Jailtracker website, Joshua Davenport was taken into custody on December 17 on charges of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine, third-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, public intoxication – controlled substance, theft by unlawful taking of the value under $500 – shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon.