Second man charged with murder in connection to deadly Perry County fight

Perry County sheriff’s deputies have arrested two more people in connection to a fight that turned deadly earlier this week.

Brian Smith, 49, of Hazard, was charged Friday in the murder of Ryan Huff, 27, who was found shot to death outside an apartment building in Darfork Tuesday morning. Maranda “Kat” Connor, 37, of Hazard, was also arrested in connection to the shooting and charged with hindering apprehension.

An Eastern Kentucky manhunt led to the arrest of Danny “Blue” Asher, 43, in Leslie County Wednesday. He is also facing murder charges.

Police say additional arrests and charges are possible as their investigation proceeds.

Deputies were called to respond to a fight that had broken out shortly before 10 a.m. March 3 at the Bubby Combs apartment complex on Darfork Road, according to Perry County Sheriff Joe Engel.

When they arrived, they found Huff on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest. A funeral for Huff is scheduled for Saturday evening.

Austin R. Ramsey

Lexington Herald-Leader

Austin R. Ramsey covers Kentucky’s eastern Appalachian region and environmental stories across the commonwealth. A native Kentuckian, he has had stints as a local government reporter in the state’s western coalfields and a regulatory reporter in Washington, D.C. He is most at home outdoors.