Homicides drop in Kentucky while human trafficking and bribery rise, report shows
Homicide rates and other serious crime in Kentucky have dropped statewide, according to a new crime data report from Kentucky State Police.
Released Thursday, the 2025 Crime in Kentucky Report details crimes in Kentucky, the occurrence by county, and the rate compared to previous years’ reports.
For the last four years, homicide rates have been declining, according to the report. Last year, homicides declined by 15.64%.
In 2025, there were 491 reported homicides, compared to the 582 recorded in 2024.
“Serious crime” — including rape, drug trafficking, murder and arson — fell by 11.25%, the report states.
However, increases were noted in animal cruelty, bribery, extortion, human trafficking and kidnapping, the report indicates.
The annual data indicates crime rates remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling.
“We want Kentuckians to be safe and feel safe in their communities and the progress we’re making to stop serious crime across the commonwealth is making a difference,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a press release. “I want to thank our brave law enforcement and folks across Kentucky who are making a difference daily. Together, we’re building a safer New Kentucky Home for our families.”
Homicide rates also low in Lexington
Like the state, homicides are down significantly in Fayette County compared to previous years.
It has been 140 days since Lexington has recorded a homicide, which represents a 30-year low of non-fatal shootings, according to Devine Carama, Director of OneLexington, a city-run organization that aims to reduce youth crime.
There have been six homicides in Lexington this year, with the last recorded homicide taking place in February, according to Lexington Police Department’s homicide data.
Lexington’s homicide rate has dropped three straight years and is likely to be down again in 2026.
The city recorded 21 homicides in 2025, 23 in 2024 and 24 in 2023. The highest recorded year for homicides was 2022, when the city recorded 44 homicides.
Human trafficking, bribery and extortion increases
The state police report suggests a significant increase in several serious crimes, including human trafficking, bribery and extortion.
This is the second year the state police reported a rise in human trafficking crimes, by a rate of nearly 3%. Last year, the state police indicated an increase at the rate of 39% from the year before.
In total, there were 70 reported cases of human trafficking. Kidnapping crimes also increased — from 1,084 cases in 2024 to 1,210 cases in 2025.
Extortion and blackmail crimes increased dramatically, according to the report, at a rate of nearly 60%. Bribery crimes also climbed at a rate of 37%.
