Published: November 20, 2009 07:55 pm      

2 charged in Mocabee Creek slayings

OLIVE HILL — Kentucky State Police have charged two men in Monday’s double homicide in western Carter County.

One of those charged was arrested shortly after the slayings, driving a vehicle that belonged to one of the victims.

On Friday, the KSP charged David J. Caudill, 33, with two counts of murder in the deaths of Virginia Massard, 49, and Joseph Cox, 27.

Both victims were found dead in Massard’s home in the 1400 block of Mocabee Creek Road, which is in the Soldier area. Both had been shot to death, and both were pronounced dead at the scene by Carter County Deputy Coroner Ronnie Wallace.

The KSP also charged another man, Richard J. Tomlin, 48, with two counts of complicity to commit murder and one count of receiving stolen property, an automobile, according to a news release from the Ashland KSP post.

Caudill and Tomlin are both lodged in the Carter County Detention Center.

The bodies of Massard and Cox were discovered about 10 a.m. Monday. During the course of the investigation, detectives noticed that Massard’s car was missing.

A short time later, police found the vehicle in Olive Hill with Caudill, a neighbor of Massard and her husband, Jerry, driving. He was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license and served with an outstanding warrant charging him with flagrant non-support.

Later, state police added charges of receiving stolen property, a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and second-degree persistent felony offender.

The slayings remain under investigation by Detective Erik Kouns, the KSP said.

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.