BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Lance Storz was found hanged to death in the Pike County Detention Center, the Pike County coroner reported Tuesday morning.

Last June, Storz reportedly shot and killed three police officers and a K-9 officer in Allen, Kentucky, as officers attempted to serve an emergency protective order after receiving a domestic violence report.

According to Floyd County Commonwealth Attorney Brent Turner, Storz’s death is being investigated as a suicide.

Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt confirmed the death, declaring the incident a “suicide.”

Conflicting reports have been released on the incident, reporting that he was either found in his cell or a bathroom in the jail. When he was found, jail personnel transported Storz to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Storz had been indicted on multiple serious charges related to the shooting incident that occurred June 30 in Floyd County and was awaiting trial in Pike County. 

Among the charges, Storz faced three counts of murder, six counts of attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault, seven counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree assault on a service animal, fourth-degree assault and domestic violence. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of Floyd County Sheriff’s Deputy William Petry, Prestonsburg Police Captain Ralph Frasure and Prestonsburg Police Officer Jacob Chaffins, as well as K-9 officer Drago.

Pike County Detention Center had not commented on Storz’s death Tuesday.

Social media comments reveal numerous members of the public are suspicious of foul play, suggesting this could be “another Epstein” incident.