Johnson County man’s body found in Ohio River

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

The body of a Johnson County man who had not been seen since December 13, 2024, was found more than 125 miles from where authorities had conducted an extensive search for him.

The body was identified as David Blevins, Jr. 47, of Staffordsville, who was last seen when he fled from Martin County Sheriff John Kirk during a traffic stop.

Blevins was recovered from the Ohio River near Dover in Mason County on Monday, Feb. 5, after being discovered around 9:30 a.m., by some boaters in the area.

This was after the 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 yielded no results.

Blevins body was sent to for an autopsy but authorities do not believe there was any foul play suspected. Kentucky State Police Sgt. Eugene Robinson is the lead investigator and waiting for the final report from the medical examiner.

Martin County Chief Deputy Chris Kidd said the MCSO will keep Blevins’ family in their prayers. “We are saddened by the discovery but can only hope it brings closure for the family,” Kidd stated. Kidd was the coordinator in the search for Blevins.

Blevins was the son of David Blevins, Sr., and the late Tri Ann Baldridge Blevins Hicks. He was a yard foreman with Adkins Landscaping. Survivors also include a daughter, Tamisha Burkett of Richmond; two brothers, Clinton Baldrige and David Watson and a grandson, James

Graveside services were Sunday, Feb. 9, at Blevins Family Cemetery, Staffordsville.