Kentucky State Police Conducts Leslie County Murder Investigation

***UPDATE***

Essie, KY (April 30, 2024) – On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at approximately 1:30 P.M, Darin J. Hensley was taken into custody without incident.

Previous News Release below:

Essie, KY (April 29, 2024) – Detectives with Kentucky State Police, Post 13, Hazard are continuing the investigation into the stabbing death of Rodney Bowling. Through the course of the investigation, Detectives have identified Darin J. Hensley, 51, of Beverly Ky, as a suspect. Hensley has numerous warrants for his arrest.  

KSP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Hensley. If you have any information on his whereabouts, you are urged to contact Kentucky State Police, Post 13, Hazard, immediately. We can be reached at (606) 435-6069.

Original News Release below:

Essie, KY (April 26, 2024) – On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, Kentucky State Police, Post 13, Hazard, received a call from Leslie County EOC requesting assistance about a stabbing complaint in the Essie community of Leslie County. 

Troopers, along with deputies, responded to a residence on KY-406, where they located a male subject deceased inside a vehicle with apparent stab wounds. Detectives with KSP responded and launched an investigation. Initial investigation indicates that the victim, Rodney Bowling, 43, of London, was engaged in an altercation on Oakly Cave Rd. that turned physical when Bowling was stabbed. He was transported by vehicle to the residence on KY-406, where he was located deceased from his injuries. He was pronounced deceased by the Leslie County Coroner’s Office. 

Bowling was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy. This incident remains under investigation by Detective Clayton Stamper.

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