Murder Suspect Joseph Benge being escorted into the Laurel County Sheriff's Office
LONDON, KY (September 16, 2020) - Laurel County Sheriff John Root along with Detective Taylor McDaniel, Major Chuck Johnson, Lieut. Chris Edwards, Sheriff's detectives and deputies are investigating a double murder off Tomcat Trail approximately 5 miles east of London after a family member found his mother and father deceased there on Tuesday afternoon September 15, 2020 at approximately 4:56 P.M.
Sheriff's Detectives/Deputies at the scene off TomCat Trail
Sheriff's investigators found the two victims in the living room area of the house and reported that both apparently died from multiple gunshot wounds. An autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday in Frankfort .
The two victims were identified as:
Johnny Benge age 69 and his wife Mary Benge age 66 both of Tomcat Trail, London, Ky., both pronounced deceased at the scene by the Laurel County Coroner's office.
The suspect is identified as the son of couple killed and is identified as: Joseph L. Benge age 40 of London who left the scene afterwards in the family's white 2015 Ford Taurus and was presumed to be armed and dangerous.
Laurel Sheriff's officials immediately filed a stolen vehicle report on the vehicle putting out an all points bulletin for other agencies to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle.
Laurel Sheriff’s investigators also were able to ping the suspect’s cell phone determining that the suspect was in the Mayfield, Kentucky area.
Laurel sheriff’s investigators notified area police agencies in the Mayfield area to be on the lookout for the suspect and his vehicle. The Kentucky State Police at Mayfield, Kentucky located the suspect vehicle late on Tuesday night and conducted a traffic stop taking him into custody without incident.
A weapon was found in the vehicle.
Laurel County Sheriff's Detectives Taylor McDaniel and Detective James Sizemore traveled to Mayfield, Kentucky to pick the suspect up and return him to Laurel County. In addition, the car will be returned to London.
Laurel Sheriff’s Detective Taylor McDaniel charged Joseph L. Benge age 40 of London with:
- Two counts of murder
- One count of robbery
- One count of theft by unlawful taking over $10,000 – Auto
This individual will be lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Assisting for the Laurel County Sheriff's office were: Laurel County Sheriff John Root, Maj. Chuck Johnson, Lieut. Chris Edwards, Sgt. Greg Poynter, Detective Richard Dalrymple, Detective Robert Reed, Detective James Sizemore, Detective Bryon Lawson, Detective Taylor McDaniel, Deputy Brad Mink, Deputy Jake Miller, Deputy Hunter Disney, Deputy Daniel Reed, and Deputy Dustin Saylor.
Also assisting at the scene was: Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County and the Laurel County Coroner’s office.
Photo of suspect and photo of crime scene on Tomcat Trail attached to this report. Investigation is continuing by Laurel Sheriff’s Detective Taylor McDaniel, lead investigator.