BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
DOVER — The body of a Johnson County man who had been missing since December was recovered from the Ohio River near Dover in Mason County on Monday, authorities said.
The Mason County coroner identified the body as that of David Blevins Jr., 47, of Staffordsville. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office said Blevins “was discovered by a boat” at 9:30 a.m., approximately 20 miles downstream from Maysville.
Last month, authorities conducted an extensive search for Blevins in the Tug Fork River near Warfield, more than 125 miles from where his body was found.
Martin County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd, who coordinated the earlier search, said he was contacted Monday by the Kentucky State Police regarding the discovery.
“The initial indications, now confirmed, was that it was Mr. David Blevins,” Kidd said. “Mr. Blevins had been reported missing out of Johnson County. Following an encounter with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office where Blevins fled and evaded arrest, an extensive search was conducted and proved unsuccessful.”
Authorities sent Blevins’ body for an autopsy but said no foul play was suspected. Kentucky State Police Sgt Eugene Robinson is leading the investigation.
Blevins was thought to have fled from a traffic stop Dec. 13 in Hode, according to Martin County Sheriff John Kirk. Witnesses reported the male driver abandoned his truck and ran toward the riverbank. That night, the sheriff’s office deployed a drone to search the area, but the effort yielded no results.
Law enforcement did not immediately know Blevins’ identity, as the truck he was driving was registered to a person in another county who had moved. After Blevins was reported missing in Johnson County on Dec. 19, investigators were able to confirm his identity with help from his family and surveillance footage from a local convenience store.
Authorities launched a large-scale search of the Tug Fork River on Dec. 30, covering more than 64 miles from the Warfield Boat Ramp to the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio rivers. Multiple agencies deployed sonar equipment, divers and cadaver dogs over four days but found no trace of Blevins.
“We are saddened by the discovery but can only hope it brings some closure for the family,” Kidd said. “We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
