A 70-year-old woman who lived in a rural Kentucky home has been found shot to death, and investigators say they have identified persons of interest but have not announced any arrests. Sherri Mitko was found deceased inside her home on Lower Line Creek Road in eastern Pulaski County after deputies responded to a welfare check on Wednesday.
A preliminary report indicated Mitko died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to somerset-kentucky.com. Sheriff Bobby Jones said the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the case as a homicide, and the office has reported that detectives are pursuing several leads. Investigating deputies also located signs of forced entry into Mitko's residence, according to reporting by television station WKYT, a detail that points toward a possible burglary or home-invasion element to the crime.
A Death in the Kentucky Hills
Mitko lived in a residence off KY 1956 in eastern Pulaski County, a stretch of scattered homes and woodland.
An autopsy on Mitko was performed in Frankfort on Wednesday, the same day deputies found her body, per the seed report from somerset-kentucky.com. The sheriff's office has said it has identified persons of interest in the homicide, though no names have been released and no charges have been filed as of this writing.
Multi-Agency Response at the Rural Scene
The scale of the response reflected both the seriousness of the case and the logistics of a remote crime scene. First responders included the Faubush Fire Department, county EMS and animal control personnel, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Somerset-Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services also assisted at the scene, while Pulaski County Animal Control was called in specifically because dogs were inside the residence when deputies arrived.
The article does not provide additional background about Kentucky State Police Post 11. In his statement following the discovery, Sheriff Jones said preliminary investigation results indicated “no further danger to the public,” an assessment meant to reassure residents of the county.
Tip Line Remains Open as Investigation Continues
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call 606-678-5145; callers may remain anonymous. Investigators have not said whether the persons of interest are known to Mitko, and it remains unclear whether the forced entry detail will factor into a robbery motive or whether formal charges will ultimately be filed.
If a suspect is eventually charged, the case would proceed under Kentucky law. Jones leads the department overseeing the case as it continues to develop.
