Kentucky State Police Investigates Death in McCreary County

STRUNK, Ky. (April 7, 2026) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 11 in London is conducting a death investigation in the Strunk community of McCreary County. On Tuesday April 7, 2026, around 12:30 a.m. EDT, Troopers responded to a disturbance call on Patterson Dr. Upon the Troopers’ arrival, they located an unresponsive male, identified as Gene Cooper, 60 years old of Whitley City, at a residence. Troopers and EMS attempted life-saving measures on Mr. Cooper, but were unsuccessful. Mr. Cooper was pronounced deceased at 3:07 a.m. EDT by the McCreary County Coroner’s Office.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. Cooper arrived at the residence and engaged into a verbal and physical altercation with another male at the residence. Mr. Cooper sustained fatal injuries during the altercation.

Detective Samuel Peace is continuing this ongoing investigation. He was assisted by KSP personnel, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office, McCreary County EMS, and the McCreary County Coroner’s Office

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