Rowan County Mother and Daughter Found Dead; Suspect Charged With Murder
ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. — A Kentucky community is reeling after a mother and daughter were found dead inside their Morehead home on Friday morning. Authorities have arrested a suspect, who now faces murder charges in connection with the case.
Discovery of the Victims
According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to conduct a welfare check on a residence along South Spring Street in Morehead around 10:15 a.m. Friday. Upon entering the home, officers made the tragic discovery of two deceased individuals.
The victims were later identified as 37-year-old Kayla Blake and her 13-year-old daughter, Kennedi McWhorter. Their deaths have left family members, neighbors, and the broader Morehead community in deep mourning.
Arrest of the Suspect
Following the discovery, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) were called to assist in the investigation. Authorities quickly identified 44-year-old Joshua Cottrell as a suspect in the case.
Later that afternoon, Cottrell was located at a hospital in McCracken County, nearly five hours west of Morehead. After receiving medical treatment, he was taken into custody without further incident.
Cottrell is now facing two counts of murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence. He remains behind bars as the investigation continues.
Community Impact
The deaths of Kayla and Kennedi have shaken the Rowan County community, where residents describe them as a loving family whose lives were tragically cut short. Kennedi, just 13 years old, was a student with bright potential, remembered for her kindness and spirit. Kayla was known as a devoted mother and a caring member of the community.
Neighbors expressed both grief and shock as news of the crime spread. Many also voiced gratitude to law enforcement for the swift arrest of the suspect.
“This is the kind of tragedy that rocks not only the family but the entire community,” one local resident said. “We are all heartbroken.”
Ongoing Investigation
The Kentucky State Police have stressed that this is an active and ongoing investigation. Detectives are gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the deaths of Kayla and Kennedi.
Authorities have not released details about a possible motive, nor have they disclosed the relationship between the suspect and the victims.
Moving Forward
As law enforcement continues its investigation, the focus remains on supporting the grieving family and ensuring justice is served. Counselors and local resources are being made available to students and families affected by the death of Kennedi, whose passing leaves a painful void in the school community.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police have pledged to release more information as it becomes available. For now, residents of Morehead are left grappling with the devastating loss of a mother and daughter whose lives ended in unimaginable violence.
