David Sparkman and Keisha Sexton
By JORDAN THOMAS HALL
Two Knott County residents were found dead on an abandoned mine site late Friday night. At 11:52 p.m. Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard received a report of a burned vehicle at an abandoned mine on Mullins Branch Road. The caller stated that there were suspected human remains inside the vehicle.
The Kentucky State Police, Knott County Sheriff’s Office, Pippa Passes Police Department, and Knott County Coroner Jeff Blair responded. The agencies confirmed human remains inside that were burned beyond recognition. The vehicle and remains were transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for further investigation.
The medical examiner’s office released their findings yesterday that confirmed the identity of the bodies. David E. Sparkman, 26, and Keisha M. Sexton, 18, both of Topmost, were identified as the two inside the burned vehicle.
Funeral arrangements for the two had not been made at press time. Sparkman’s visitation will be held at the Hindman Funeral Home and Sexton’s visitation will be at the Nelson-Frazier Funeral Home in Hindman.
Authorities have not released any other details about the incident. The case remains under investigation by Detective Chris Collins of the Kentucky State Police.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call KSP Post 13 at 606- 435-6069.