BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PRESTONSBURG — A long-awaited bittersweet day for the family of the late Amber Spradlin arrived Tuesday. Police arrested three men in connection with Spradlin’s murder that occurred June 18, 2023 at the home of Dr. Michael McKinney on Arkansas Creek in Floyd County.
According to indictments issued Tuesday morning, one of the men murdered Spradlin by stabbing her multiple times. The indictment states the accused murderer, his father and a live-in friend then removed, concealed or destroyed evidence, including the handle of the broken knife used to stab Spradlin 11 times.
Michael “MK” McKinney III, 24, of Martin, was arrested for murder and seven counts of tampering with physical evidence/complicity. He was taken into custody in Morehead and lodged in the Rowan County Detention Center.
His father, Michael McKinney II, 56, of Martin, a dentist and former co-owner of “The Brickhouse” restaurant, was arrested during his lunch break at the restaurant where Amber Spradlin was an employee. He is charged with seven counts of tampering with physical evidence/complicity.
Josh Mullins, 23, of Martin, who lived in the home with the McKinneys, was arrested on seven counts of tampering with physical evidence/complicity.
The family feels that the wheels of justice have finally stopped spinning in the dirt 408 days after the crime.
Debbie Hall, Spradlin’s cousin and Floyd County doctor, has made it her mission to not only unwrap the details of the slaying but to bring those responsible to accountability. Hall has made it clear that the accused have been uncooperative and secretive and took every opportunity to put a stop to revealing the truth. She cites this resistance as one of the reasons the charges have taken so long.
“The reason for the time involved in this investigation was related to those who did everything possible to destroy the evidence,” Hall stated. “In the end, what you will learn as the facts of the investigation unfold is that it was Amber who was responsible for leaving the final clue which revealed those responsible for her murder.”
Hall continued, “Most troubling is the arrogance of those who chose to move the 911 Dispatch Center from the Kentucky State Police post in Pikeville to Prestonsburg at a time when the 911 Dispatch Center was unprepared to protect the citizens of Floyd County…you might not have been at Arkansas Creek on that fateful night, [but] you have Amber’s blood on your hands.”
Hall remains thankful for the community that fought alongside her for Amber’s truth. The “Justice for Amber” Facebook group has written to legislators, funded billboards, adorned yard signs and bumper stickers, and kept the heat on investigators.
At a press conference Tuesday, Hall highlighted that more than 25,000 people from Floyd County and across the globe have come together to be Amber’s voice.
“The people involved have worked tirelessly, expending hundreds of hours putting together the investigation of Amber’s murder. Commonwealth Attorney Brent Turner, the Kentucky State Police, especially Detective Justin Wiremen, and others, those involved in the investigation.”
Hall had words for the accused.
“I might sound angry, and you would be right,” she said. “Our family has not only endured the tragic loss of Amber, but we have also endured those of you who have decided to choose sides and mock our resolve to see that those responsible would be brought to justice. It is now time for each of you to hang your heads in shame. However, I doubt many of you will because each of you is selfish and cold-hearted. Hopefully, the events of today, the indictments in this case, will wipe that smile off your face.”
The suspects are accused of destroying the clothing worn by McKinny III, cleaning blood from the kitchen sink and laundry utility room sink, and destroying a surveillance camera that would have captured the murder, a digital video recorder that contained video footage, and a hard drive from the only desktop in the home.
Hall concluded the press conference Tuesday on a hopeful note and with words of gratitude.
“On behalf of the family, thank you sincerely. Hopefully, each of you will stay with us as those responsible face the bar of justice. As we move forward, it is time for each of us to come together and become watchdogs of the way our government operates, oftentimes in the back halls of our government centers.”
She added, “Today is the day that, as a family and community, we know that Amber is looking down and smiling at each of us knowing that she was and is the start of a movement to end the corruption which has been allowed to exist for decades.”
The three men will be arraigned Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Prestonsburg.
