Eastern Kentucky man charged with murder after woman found dead in home

An Eastern Kentucky man has been charged with murder after Kentucky State Police say he shot and killed a woman during an argument.

Crystal Sexton, 51, was found dead Saturday afternoon inside a home on Left Fork Holly Road in the small Owsley town of Booneville. She was shot in the head, according to court documents.

Cloyd Burkhart, 55, of Booneville, was charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Burkhart and Sexton were fighting over a gun, and Sexton pointed the gun at Burkhart before he took it and shot her while she was turning away.

The shooting happened at Burkhart’s address, according to court documents.

Burkhart is being held at the Three Forks Detention Center on a $2 million bond. He will be arraigned Jan. 8, 2026, in Owsley District Court.

This story was originally published December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM.

Taylor Six

Lexington Herald-Leader

Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.