The Johnson County coroner's office has released the cause of death for a couple whose bodies were found buried on their farm last month.

An autopsy at the medical examiner's office in Frankfort showed Larry and Sandra Blanton died from blunt-force trauma. Their deaths have been ruled homicides, coroner J.R. Frisby said.

Prosecutors plan to pursue charges against the Blantons' son, Willie Blanton, for their deaths, according to court documents. Willie Blanton is in jail on charges that he used his parents' checks after their disappearance in September.

The last day anyone spoke with Larry or Sandra Blanton was Sept. 7, Frisby said. A missing persons report was cancelled after a tipster led police to their bodies Feb. 23.

After they were apparently beaten to death, their bodies were buried near a horse barn on their farm. Frisby said a weapon has not been recovered. A grand jury is expected to consider murder charges against Willie Blanton March 20.

Josh Kegley: (859) 231-3197. Twitter: @HLpublicsafety.