JOHNSON COUNTY, KY MAN ARRESTED AFTER HIS DECEASED MOTHER FOUND DEAD IN HOME

OCTOBER 27, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN

CREEPY GREEDY: JOHN LEGRANDE CARROLL, 56, OF PAINTSVILLE, KENTUCKY.

A Johnson County, Kentucky man was arrested on Monday, October 26, after police said he hid the death of his mother for several months.

According to the Paintsville Police Department, John Legrande Carroll, 56, of Paintsville, KY., was charged with:

*ABUSE OF CORPSE;

*FAILURE OF PERSON/HOSPITAL/INSTITUTION TO REPORT DEATH OF PERSON;

*THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION ALL OTHERS $10,000 < $1,000,000;

*CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF FORGED INSTRUMENT 2ND DEGREE (IDENTIFY).

The Paintsville Police Department said that the death case investigation began on Monday, October 19, after they received a request from a cousin of John Carroll, for police officers for a welfare check at a home on Andrea Circle Road, where John Carroll’s mother, who was identified as Patty Carroll, had been living.

Family members reported that John Carroll said his mother had died a week earlier and was still in her bed.

After finding the woman’s body inside the home, Paintsville Police Department officers conducted a weeklong investigation that found she had been dead for more than four months.

John Carroll was taken into custody by the Pikeville Police Department at a local Buffalo Wild Wings, after he was released from the Pikeville Medical Center where he was being treated for injuries he sustained in a crash of his automobile, which has also resulted in him facing a driving under the influence criminal charge in connection to the crash in Pike County.

John Carroll was transported to, booked & lodged, and is currently lodged at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.

The Paintsville Police Department said that the investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending in this case. The official press release by the Paintsville Police Department can be read below as the the following:

Paintsville Police Department

Press Release

On October 19, 2026, at approximately 11:39 a.m. EST, Paintsville E-911 received a call requesting a welfare check at a residence located on Andrea Circle in Paintsville, Kentucky.

Upon arrival, Officers N. Collins and D. Meade made contact with a family member who advised that they had spoken with their cousin, John Carroll. According to the family member, Carroll had stated that his mother had passed away approximately one week earlier and that her body remained in the bed inside the residence.

Officer N. Collins subsequently located the deceased individual inside the residence.

Officer Collins, with assistance from Officer D. Meade, Captain G. Spriggs, and Chief D.

Smith, began processing the scene and initiating the investigation.

From October 19 through October 26, 2026, the investigation continued under the direction of Case Officer N. Collins. During this time, investigators obtained search warrants, subpoenas, financial records, medical records, conducted interviews, and gathered additional evidence relevant to the case. Also learned that the deceased has passed away approximately 4 months prior.

Through diligent investigative efforts and the assistance of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Johnson County Attorney’s Office, the Pikeville Police Department, and other assisting officers, investigators were able to obtain an arrest warrant for John Carroll.

On October 26, 2026, Director of Public Safety D. Preston contacted the Pikeville Police Department for assistance in locating and taking Carroll into custody. At approximately 2:00 p.m. EST, Case Officer N. Collins and Captain G. Spriggs responded to Buffalo Wild Wings, where custody of Carroll was transferred to Paintsville Police Department personnel.

Carroll was subsequently transported to the Paintsville Police Department for an interview and was later lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

The Paintsville Police Department would like to recognize and thank all agencies and personnel who assisted throughout this investigation. Their cooperation, professionalism, and investigative efforts were instrumental in advancing this case.

This case is still under investigation, with a possibility of pending charges in the future.

340 Main Street, Paintsville KY 41240

606-789-2600