An initial DNA test on remains believed to be those of Joseph Couch, the suspect in the Interstate 75 shootings, was inconclusive, but an autopsy confirmed the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, state officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soft tissue DNA test was \u201cinconclusive due to extreme decomposition of the body,\u201d and a further DNA test with material extracted from bone will be completed, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet\u2002said in a news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Couch, 32, a former Army reservist, had been the subject of a manhunt<\/a> after five people were shot and seriously wounded as they drove on Interstate 75 north of the small city of London on Sept. 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Authorities said he had texted someone<\/a> about 30 minutes before the shootings and wrote, \u201cI\u2019m going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At least 12 vehicles were struck, and 20 to 30 rounds are thought to have been fired, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The remains were found in deep brush by a highway exit in Laurel County, which is where London is and where the shootings occurred, state officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt this time, we are able to confirm that the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a wound consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head,\u201d the state chief medical examiner, Dr. William Ralston, said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A couple livestreaming the search<\/a> for Couch’s body helped in the effort and the discovery, state police said. Vultures had been circling the body. Personal articles and a gun around the body led investigators to believe it was Couch\u2019s, State Police Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n