Russell County Coroner’s Office

08/24/2026

The Russell County Coroner's Office was called out Sunday morning to the old Alligator I Marina area of Lake Cumberland, after the Russell Co Search & Rescue reported recovering a drowning victim who had went missing the day before. Andy W. Schmidt, age 42 of Lexington, was pronounced dead at 10AM, 8/23/26. Initial examination and witness statements indicate preliminary cause of death to be drowning pending toxicology.

07/16/2026

July 15, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
The Russell County Coroner's Office responded to the Caney Fork Creek
area of Lake Cumberland today at approximately 1730 hrs for an apparent
drowning. Joshua Tyler Wethington age 28 of Casey Co. was pronounced
dead at the scene. Mr. Wethington is being taken to Frankfort for an
autopsy.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner

06/02/2026

June 2, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

A two vehicle accident that occurred yesterday afternoon on the
Cumberland Parkway has resulted in the death of 66 y/o Maylon Brown, Jr.
of Russell Springs. The accident remains under investigation by the
Kentucky State Police.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner

04/05/2026

April 04, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

The Russell County Coroner’s Office was called to 575 Snow Rd at approximately 6 PM this evening where 75y/o Joe Kerns of Russell Springs was found dead from apparent drowning in the family’s pond. Mr. Kerns was taken to Frankfort for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Assisting at the scene were personnel from the Russell County EMS, Russell Springs Fire, and Russell County Emergency Management.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner

01/24/2026

12/13/2025

PRESS RELEASE

12/13/2025

THE RUSSELL CO CORONER’S OFFICE WAS CALLED OUT LAST EVENING AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 PM TO THE WOLF CREEK DAM FOR A REPORT OF A ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED AS 37 Y/O, ANDREW KALEB BREWSTER OF RUSSELL CO. MR. BREWSTER DIED AS THE RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE RUSSELL CO CORONER’S OFFICE AND THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE. SPECIAL THANKS TO JAMESTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, RUSSELL CO SHERIFFS OFFICE, AND JAMESTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Mark A. Coots
Russell Co Coroner