Crime

Inmates cleaning up this Knox County dump site found a murder victim

A body was found at a dump site over an embankment in the Hinkle community of Knox County Friday morning.
A body was found at a dump site over an embankment in the Hinkle community of Knox County Friday morning. Kentucky State Police

A group of inmates cleaning up a dump site in Knox County stumbled upon a murder victim Friday morning.

State police said inmates with the Bell County Forestry Service and their guards were working at a spot where people had dumped trash over an embankment off Hinkle Branch Road in the Hinkle community when they found the body at about 8:50 a.m.

The victim was identified as Michael Sowders, 32, of Barbourville.

The cause of death is still under investigation. State police said an autopsy was to be conducted in Frankfort.

This story was originally published April 20, 2018 at 10:16 PM with the headline "Inmates cleaning up this Knox County dump site found a murder victim."

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW