WCHS Eyewitness News Home Charleston Eyewitness Newsroom Charleston Storm Team Weather Sports News TV Program Schedule Community Mobile-Cellphone and PDA Get Connected SMS Text Facebook Twitter RSS News Feed Email List


JOHNSON BODIES FOUND
Coroner Confirms Bodies Found In Johnson County, Ky., Are Missing Couple

Reported by: Send eMail Associated Press
Videographer: Dan Matics
Web Producer: Mamie Buoy
Reported: Feb. 23, 2013 12:34 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 28, 2013 10:27 AM EST

EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO
C L I C K   T O   P L A Y
Oil Springs , Johnson County , Kentucky

A coroner has confirmed the identities of Sandra and Larry Blanton, their bodies were found on their Oil Springs farm this past weekend. They had been missing since September.

Deputies say information provided by the suspect's girlfriend lead them to the discovery.
Willie Blanton is the prime suspect. He's currently in jail on drug charges. Willie Blanton's girlfriend, Amanda Fannin took a plea deal providing the whereabouts of the bodies.

According to the plea deal obtained from the Johnson County circuit court clerk, Fannin had no involvement in the couple's death and her knowledge of the murder came after the fact.

In the deal, Fannin will be released from jail to enter a rehab program. Authorities say Willie Blanton will not face the death penalty if convicted.

The Johnson County Sheriff Department is expected to release the causes of death later this week.




A coroner has confirmed the identities of two bodies found on property owned by a missing eastern Kentucky couple.

Johnson County Coroner J.R. Frisby told the Lexington Herald-Leader that autopsy results found the bodies were those of the owners, Larry and Sandra Blanton.

They had been reported missing in September. Their bodies were found buried behind a horse barn on property in Oil Springs that belonged to them.

Police have called the couple's disappearance suspicious.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



Police say two bodies have been found on a farm owned by an eastern Kentucky couple reported missing almost six months ago.

Investigators with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department say the bodies have not been identified, but were found on the property in Oil Springs belonging to Larry and Sandra Blanton. The couple was reported missing in September.

Investigators say the disappearance is suspicious and say their son William Blanton is a person of interest in the case. Blanton is currently in jail for allegedly trying to fill his parents' prescriptions at a local pharmacy.

We have a crew in Johnson County, Kentucky. Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for more information on this continuing story.

“AP contributed to this report.”



MORE NEWS FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS
CAR ACCIDENT
Car Nearly Plunges Off I-64 Bridge During Accident
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 19, 2013 2:46 PM EDT
Mother Nature could be to blame for a frightening sight ...
Full News Story

POWERBALL JACKPOT
Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In Florida, Estimated Prize $590.5 Million
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 19, 2013 10:43 AM EDT
Powerball officials were pretty confident there would ...
Full News Story and Video

SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
Man Shot On Charleston's West Side
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 19, 2013 10:14 AM EDT
Police are looking for the person who shot a man on ...
Full News Story



News Investigators Say Belle Fire Appears To Be Arson
May. 18, 2013 10:17 PM EDT
News Empty Glass Event To Benefit Diabetes Foundation
May. 18, 2013 11:46 PM EDT
News Vegas Icon Helps To Honor Local Armed Forces Members
May. 18, 2013 8:33 PM EDT
News Dunbar Events Get Families Back To The Park
May. 19, 2013 4:25 AM EDT
News Kanawha Grand Jury Returns Indictments
May. 18, 2013 6:34 PM EDT
News Police Investigating Robbery At Embassy Suites
May. 18, 2013 6:35 PM EDT
News South Charleston Officials Moving Forward With Bond Sale
May. 18, 2013 9:00 PM EDT
News Book Examines Legal Fights Surrounding Blankenship
May. 19, 2013 4:37 AM EDT
News Several Bear Sightings Reported In South Charleston
May. 18, 2013 8:59 PM EDT
News Boyd County Deputies Bust Nine Meth Labs, Eight In One Home
May. 18, 2013 6:35 PM EDT
News WV Agency Hands Out All Available Reunion Kits
May. 18, 2013 4:53 PM EDT
News New Coin Commemorates WV 150th Birthday
May. 18, 2013 8:59 PM EDT
News 3-D Printers An Emerging Industry
May. 18, 2013 4:11 PM EDT
News 20 Seniors Could Be In Trouble Over Wayne High Vandalism
May. 18, 2013 2:37 AM EDT
News Man Arrested After Allegedly Making Young Girls Pose Provocatively In Front Of Webcam
May. 17, 2013 11:33 PM EDT
News Five Injured In Wyoming County Accident
May. 17, 2013 10:56 PM EDT
News Former Smithers Fire Chief Indicted
May. 17, 2013 10:57 PM EDT
News Clay County Man Indicted On Meth Charges
May. 18, 2013 2:18 AM EDT
News Top-Selling Comedians Perform In Huntington
May. 17, 2013 10:52 PM EDT
News 2,000 Take Part In Relay For Life
May. 18, 2013 2:27 AM EDT
News Make-A-Wish Sends Girl To Disney World
May. 18, 2013 2:28 AM EDT
News Crews Respond To Altizer Fire
May. 17, 2013 10:57 PM EDT
News Parents of Toddler Arrested, Charged With Meth-Making
May. 18, 2013 2:30 AM EDT
News Sissonville Man Beats The Odds
May. 17, 2013 6:42 PM EDT
News Cabell Huntington Observes EMS Week
May. 18, 2013 2:32 AM EDT
News Putnam Man Arrested On Meth Charges
May. 17, 2013 8:11 PM EDT
News Couple Arrested On Child Neglect Charges
May. 17, 2013 8:07 PM EDT
News Kasich To Alert Families To Execution Mercy
May. 17, 2013 5:55 PM EDT
News IRS Targeting Scandal Focus Of Poll
May. 17, 2013 5:28 PM EDT
News Unemployment Rates Fall In WV, Ohio In April
May. 17, 2013 4:53 PM EDT


Advertise on WCHS-TV Online

West Virginia News
Neighboring facilities in W.Va. differ on abortion

A crisis-pregnancy center that counsels women not to have abortions has moved next door to a health facility in Charleston that provides abortions.
Full Story

Kentucky News
Dalai Lama begins visit to Louisville

The Dalai Lama spoke to about 15,000 people at the KFC Yum Center as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists began his visit to Louisville.
Full Story

Ohio News
Police in NW Ohio: home invasion victim targeted

Police in northwest Ohio are searching for three suspects in the shooting death of a business owner during a weekend home invasion.
Full Story

Fugitive Files
Wanted: May. 14, 2013 You Can Help!
Fugitive Fugitive Fugitive Seen them? Call 888-720-TIPS
Details about these Fugitives

Behind The Kitchen Door
May 16, 2013
Shoney's-Charleston, Hibachi, Blues BBQ makes the list. Find out who has violations and who gets the Clean Kitchen Award!
Story and Video

2013 NEWS: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | CURRENT
2012 NEWS: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC







Fire!Fire!

Fugitive Files Tuesdays at 6 PM on Eyewitness News

West Virginia Wildlife Wednesdays at 6 PM on Eyewitness News

Newscast Scripts

ABC News web site





How To Contact WCHS-TV8 | Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Terms and Conditions | DMCA Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules

Send Mail Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.