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Pine Knot man murdered

By: Greg Bird

Kentucky State Police Detective Billy Correll is leading the investigation into the death of Johnny G. Taylor, 66, who was found dead in his bedroom by members of the Pine Knot Fire Department after responding to a fire in the residence.

According to Detective Correll, the fire department was dispatched to the residence on S. Highway 1651, after a neighbor spotted smoke and a possible fire in the home.

When firefighters made entry in to the home they found the body of Taylor dead of apparent multiple stab wounds in a bedroom and notified the Kentucky State Police of the discovery.

While firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, police were searching the residence for clues to hopefully identify the killer’s identity.

Officials believe the fire was started in an effort to cover up the murder, but fortunately it spread into the attic and was caught before it could further damage the crime scene.

Detective Correll was reluctant to discuss the possible motives for the murder, but did confirm he is following up on several potential leads.

The body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Details of the findings, if any, have not been released.

Law enforcement officers are looking for Taylor’s 1999 Chevrolet pick up truck, that was apparently stolen from the residence after the crime was committed. Anyone with information to the possible identity of the assailant or the location of the missing truck are encouraged to contact the Kentucky State Police at 1- 606-878-6622 or McCreary County 911.

Taylor, who had lived in the house for about a year, had just been released on bond from jail earlier that day. Court records indicate Taylor was serving time for convictions of DUI 2nd Offense, First Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance and various traffic offenses.

Detective Correll was assisted at the scene by KSP Sergeant Bill Elliot, Sergeant Steve Smallwood, Detective John Barnett, Trooper Shaler Jones, Arson Investigator Detective Brian Lewis, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department, the McCreary County Coroner’s Office and the Pine Knot Fire Department.

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