Name released in Hopkins Co. murder investigation | News

HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE)- After discovering human remains in a shallow grave Wednesday, authorities in Hopkins county have arrested two suspects.

Joshua Osborne, 30, and Stephanie Osborne, 27, are charged with complicity to commit murder.

They're also accused of tampering with physical evidence.

Authorities say the victim hasn't been positively identified yet, but early indications say it's Sherry Hayes, a woman who's been reported missing since last October.

Days after Sherry Hayes was reported missing, authorities say something wasn't right.

"When she was reported missing, the story that was originally given did not make sense, it didn't fit the physical evidence." said Commonwealth Attorney David Massamore.

Investigators soon discovered Hayes was living with both Joshua and Stephanie Osborne at their home in Coiltown, Kentucky.

"In this particular incidence, you start looking at relationships, family, associates," said Hopkins County Sheriff Frank Latham.

Deputies soon began asking questions, specifically to the Osborne couple.

"During the course of those interviews, confessions were reached and the location of a shallow grave site in southern Hopkins county was found," Latham said.

Thursday, investigators scanned that site off of McKnight Road to find the grave and anything else to help in their investigation.

"All the agencies are basically down there on their hands and knees and they're collecting this evidence through the bridge system."

Authorities say a medical examiner hopes to have a positive identity of the victim in the next couple days.

"No knowing what the state of the remains will be, how quickly we can get that information will make the determination," Massamore said.

Questions were raised about whether this case was related to another unsolved missing person's case, Hopkins County native Jeremy Goodwin, who's body was found last week.

"The motive and everything is going to be completely different than the others and at this time there have been no links developed into any of these missing person's cases," said Latham

Both of the Osbornes will soon appear in district court and are expected to have a grand jury hearing sometime in February.

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