Boyd County Coroner's Office

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is more than cookouts, the first day of summer, long weekends, or time spent with family and friends. While many of us will gather, laugh, and make memories today, we should also remember why this day exists.

Memorial Day is about honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It is a day to remember those who never came home, those whose families carry their memory every day, and those who gave everything so we could enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.

As you enjoy your time with family today, take a moment to pause and remember the true meaning behind this holiday. Say a prayer, share a memory, or simply take a moment of silence for those who gave all.

And as your Boyd County Coroner’s Office, we ask one more thing: please be careful. Slow down on the roads, wear your seatbelt, never drive impaired, and make smart decisions.

Enjoy your family, protect your loved ones, and make it home safely… because we want your family spending today making memories, not meeting our family because of a tragedy.

Have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/19/2026

Good morning. This is a long post, but I believe it is worth the read.

As an elected official entrusted with investigating deaths in Boyd County, I have always tried to perform that job to the absolute best of my ability. In doing so, I make sure every investigation and every statement is based strictly on facts and evidence.

The challenge with that is we live in an instant society, and those two things sometimes clash. People understandably want information immediately, but finding truth and providing accurate information takes time. One thing I will never do is speculate or knowingly provide false or incomplete information.

As information becomes available, and as our office is legally and ethically able to release it, we will do so — but only after next of kin have been properly notified.

Please understand that as an office, and as someone entrusted with providing accurate information and continuously searching for the truth, that process takes time. Unless I am 100% certain about something, I will not release it.

Many times, information is already circulating publicly before we have even cleared a scene. Like anything else, that information is often based on someone’s perspective and may not tell the whole story. Facts and truth matter, which is why a press release from our office may come hours later, and sometimes not until the following day.

There are many factors that go into that process, but please remember this: if it were your loved one, you would want truth, transparency, and facts over speed.

Everyone have a good day, and please remember to get out and vote. Your vote always counts, and your vote always matters.

Send a message to learn more

05/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Double Fatal Motorcycle Collision Under Investigation on Wi******er Avenue

The Boyd County Coroner’s Office responded to the intersection of Wi******er Avenue and 25th Street in Ashland on Sunday evening in reference to a motorcycle versus pickup truck collision.

Upon arrival, the occupants of the motorcycle, an adult male operator and adult female passenger, were both pronounced deceased at approximately 8:30 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Preliminary information indicates that excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor in the collision. Both occupants of the motorcycle were reported to have been wearing helmets at the time of the accident.

The incident remains under investigation and is being reconstructed by the Kentucky State Police, who are the lead investigating agency on this case.

The identities of the deceased are being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Agencies assisting at the scene included the Ashland Fire Department, Ashland Police Department, and Boyd County EMS.

Further information regarding the investigation will be released by Kentucky State Police as it becomes available.

Mark Hammond
Boyd County Coroner

Send a message to learn more

04/28/2026

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boyd County Coroner’s Office
April 28,2026

Update: Identities Released in Fatal Residential Structure Fire Investigation

The Boyd County Coroner’s Office is providing an update regarding the fatal residential structure fire that occurred at 2413 Garfield Avenue in Ashland, Kentucky.

The identities of the two deceased individuals have now been confirmed and next of kin notifications have been completed. The decedents are identified as Linda Sparks, 69, of Ashland, Kentucky, and Cindy Sparks, 69, of Ashland, Kentucky.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 0652 hours. Fire department personnel located both victims inside the residence and removed them from the structure. Both individuals were transported by EMS to UK King’s Daughters Medical Center, where they were pronounced deceased after resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful.

The fire remains under investigation by the Ashland Fire Department and the Ashland Police Department.

The deaths remain under investigation by the Boyd County Coroner’s Office. Toxicology testing has been conducted and submitted for further analysis.

The Boyd County Coroner’s Office is working in coordination with the Ashland Fire Department and the Ashland Police Department. This investigation remains ongoing.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Send a message to learn more

04/26/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boyd County Coroner’s Office
04/26/2026

Two Fatalities Reported Following Residential Structure Fire

The Boyd County Coroner’s Office is currently investigating the deaths of two adult females following a residential structure fire at 2413 Garfield Avenue in Ashland, Kentucky.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 0652 hours. Fire department personnel arrived and located two victims inside the residence within minutes of arrival. Both individuals were removed from the structure and transported by EMS to UK King’s Daughters Medical Center, where they were pronounced deceased after resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful.

The fire is currently being investigated by the Ashland Fire Department and the Ashland Police Department.

The deaths remain under investigation by the Boyd County Coroner’s Office. Toxicology testing has been conducted and submitted for further analysis.

At this time, the identities of the decedents are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Boyd County Coroner’s Office is working in coordination with the Ashland Fire Department and the Ashland Police Department. This investigation remains ongoing.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available and once appropriate notifications have been made.

04/20/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/17s2eDc3XZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The capital murder trial set to begin today against John Tooson V, 36, of Rossford, Ohio began with a guilty plea in Boyd Circuit Court.

Tooson, agreed to plead guilty to the following:

Two counts of Murder
Wanton Endangerment 1st degree
Robbery 1st Degree
Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon

The plea agreement is for life in prison without the possibility of parole for a minimum of 25 years. All sentences will run concurrently. Final sentencing will be in court on June 25, 2026.

The events occurred June 7, 2022 on Montgomery Avenue, Ashland. Selina Easter, 20, and Summer Algarakhuly, 18, were shot and killed in an apartment there. Present during the event was Easters 2 month old child that was left behind after Tooson left in Easters car and traveled to Toledo, Ohio. There he was taken into custody after a standoff with Toledo Police where he self-inflicted a gunshot wound to himself.

Ashland Police Department investigators traveled to Toledo after the incident and worked closely with them on details and evidence. Investigators also went to talk with Tooson while he was in the Hospital. He was later charged and finally returned to the Boyd County Detention Center and held until court.

Officers and Detectives with the Ashland Police Department did an outstanding job to bring this case to a conclusion. With the agreement of the victims family, this event can finally come to a completion.

The Ashland Police Department thanks the following agencies for their collaboration, assistance, bravery and professionalism in the investigation.

Toledo Ohio Police Department
Perrysburg Township Ohio Police Department
University of Michigan Police Department

04/03/2026

This is an interview that WOWK TV did on the office and coroners in general.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) – As difficult as it is, death is a part of life. It’s also a daily part of the job for the Boyd County Coroner. Amanda Barren sat down with Mark Hammond, who i…

04/01/2026

Please remember I normally do not post on this page for the podcast. This episode is truly important and I wanted to make sure everyone knows it is out there. You can also find the episode on Spotify.

The fifth episode of the series, focusing on part-time death investigation, is now available on the Tri-State Media Services YouTube page and is highly recommended. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LLfbfzDpv/?mibextid=wwXIfr