ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. — A Rowan County community is in mourning after a mother and her teenage daughter were found dead inside a Morehead home Friday morning. Authorities have arrested a suspect now facing murder charges in connection with their deaths.
The Rowan County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 37-year-old Kayla Blake and her daughter, 13-year-old Kennedi McWhorter. Deputies responded to a welfare check just after 10 a.m. on South Spring Street after Blake failed to report to work. Inside the home, first responders made the tragic discovery.
Kentucky State Police quickly identified 44-year-old Joshua W. Cottrell of Morehead as the suspect. He was later located at a Paducah-area hospital around 2 p.m. Following medical treatment, Cottrell was taken into custody and charged with two counts of murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence. He is currently being held in the McCracken County Jail.
Coroner John Northcutt confirmed autopsies are scheduled for Saturday at the state medical examiner’s office in Frankfort. Details on the manner of death have not yet been released. The Kentucky State Police Eastern Crime Lab processed the scene, and investigators say the case remains active.
In a statement, Rowan County Middle School confirmed Kennedi’s passing, noting the school is grieving the loss of one of its students. Counselors will be available for students, teachers, and staff in the coming days to provide support during this difficult time.
The investigation is ongoing as the community grapples with the devastating loss of Kayla and Kennedi.
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