Russell County Coroner’s Office

04/05/2026

April 04, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

The Russell County Coroner’s Office was called to 575 Snow Rd at approximately 6 PM this evening where 75y/o Joe Kerns of Russell Springs was found dead from apparent drowning in the family’s pond. Mr. Kerns was taken to Frankfort for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Assisting at the scene were personnel from the Russell County EMS, Russell Springs Fire, and Russell County Emergency Management.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner

01/24/2026

12/13/2025

PRESS RELEASE

12/13/2025

THE RUSSELL CO CORONER’S OFFICE WAS CALLED OUT LAST EVENING AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 PM TO THE WOLF CREEK DAM FOR A REPORT OF A ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED AS 37 Y/O, ANDREW KALEB BREWSTER OF RUSSELL CO. MR. BREWSTER DIED AS THE RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE RUSSELL CO CORONER’S OFFICE AND THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE. SPECIAL THANKS TO JAMESTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, RUSSELL CO SHERIFFS OFFICE, AND JAMESTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner

09/01/2025

A Russell Springs man was killed in a motorcycle accident Friday night on Highway 379.

Kentucky State Police said 55-year-old William Miller was operating a motorcycle northbound on Highway 379 when his motorcycle stopped in the roadway for an unknown reason. Due to limited visibility, Miller was struck in the rear by a 2004 Dodge Ram operated by 33-year-old Daniel Turner of Magnolia.

Miller was transported from the scene to Russell County Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased by the Russell County Coroner.

Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Fire Department, Russell County EMS and the Russell County Coroner’s Office. Senior Trooper Brandon Roark is investigating the collision.

08/13/2025

PRESS RELEASE

08/13/2025

THE RUSSELL CO CORONER’S OFFICE WAS CALLED OUT LAST EVENING AT APPROXIMATELY 7PM TO THE ALLIGATOR #1 AREA FOR A REPORT OF A JET SKI ACCIDENT VICTIM. THE VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED AS 55 Y/O, LADONNA GAIL WASSON FROM THE JABEZ COMMUNITY. MS. WASSON WAS TAKEN TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE IN FRANKFORT FOR A MORE DETAILED EXAMINATION TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF DEATH.
THE CORONER’S OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO THANK LOCAL MARINA OPERATORS, EMPLOYEES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN HELPING TO LOCATE MS. WASSON’S FAMILY.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner

06/01/2025

06/01/25
The Russell Co Coroner’s Office was called to a residence on Cherokee Trail in the Jabez area of
Russell County at 8:45 PM last night . Upon arriving at the scene authorities found 78 y/o Thomas
Sawyer and his wife 80 y/o Dorothy Sawyer dead from apparent gunshot wounds. According to
witnesses, a neighbor stopped by to check on them and discovered the scene. Preliminary findings
indicate a possible homicide/suicide situation. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were taken to the State Medical
Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for autopsies. The death is being investigated by the Kentucky State
Police along with the Russell County Coroner’s Office.

05/20/2025

05/18/2025

Got to work with an amazing group of coroners from around the region helping to identify, process, and transport victims from the tornado that struck Laurel Co.

02/01/2025

THE RUSSELL COUNTY CORONER AND FISH AND WILDLIFE OFFICERS ARE INVESTIGATING AN APPARENT DROWNING DEATH THAT OCCURRED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2025. ARMANDO PENALOZA, AGE 44, OF RUSSELL SPRINGS WAS PULLED FROM THE WATER AFTER THE BOAT HE WAS IN CAPSIZED. THE CALL FOR HELP CAME IN TO THE 911 CENTER AT 04:30 AM. MR. PENALOZA WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE RUSSELL COUNTY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

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12/06/2024

Friends, y’all are awesome. Thanks to all your comments and shares I have located family for Mr. Dearing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

12/06/2024

Friends, once again I need your help in locating family members of a deceased person. His name is John Robert Dearing, age 51, possibly born in Chicago. He had a sister named Dawn Taylor who died in 2016. He was raised by foster parents Harold and Mary Warden who are also deceased. Any help would be great.