An autopsy has confirmed that an animal attack occurred in the death of a Knott County teenager.
According to a statement from Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard, the state Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that the death of a 13-year-old male in the Emmalena community of Knott County occurred as a result of injuries consistent with an animal attack. The specific animal, however, has not yet been determined.
Kentucky State Police troopers and detectives responded to a report of a possible animal attack on a child shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday evening in the Montgomery Creek Road area. According to the statement, officers and personnel with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Knott County Sheriff’s Office, Lifeguard Ambulance and Ball Creek Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, the statement says, troopers and first responders were led up a mountainside behind a residence, where they located the teen who appeared to be fatally wounded. Knott County Coroner Corey Watson responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased from suspected injuries associated with an animal attack.
The incident remains under investigation. KSP Det. Robert Dials with KSP Post 13 is leading the investigation.