Background: The Stearns, Ky., neighborhood where Damian Poole’s body was discovered on Sept. 11 (Google Maps). Insets (left to right): Damian Poole and Daniel Kearney (McCreary County Sheriff’s Office).
A Kentucky man meticulously orchestrated his cover-up following the murder of his partner and two dogs, according to police — including drafting a written checklist of cleaning tasks.
Damian Poole, 36, was reported missing by his family in Colorado on Sept. 9 after not arriving for a planned visit. On Friday night, the Kentucky State Police and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at the Stearns, Kentucky, residence Poole shared with his partner, 39-year-old Daniel Kearney, and discovered Poole’s body. Poole had suffered “multiple gunshot wounds,” and two dogs were also found deceased on the property, according to police.
As mentioned in an arrest citation obtained by local Fox affiliate WDKY, police discovered a checklist allegedly created by Kearney, detailing actions to take following Poole’s murder.
The checklist instructed him to tidy up the house, eliminate evidence, apply an odor sealant named “Kilz,” and dispose of Poole’s body, according to police. Additionally, it mentioned using fire to eliminate remaining evidence and scattering the ashes along roads in various states, WDKY reported.
The arrest citation indicated that Poole’s body was found in a “back room” of the house, with ankles bound using nylon rope. Police suspect Kearney killed him days earlier. They also found two dogs that had been shot, bullet casings, an AR-style rifle, other firearms, and a piece of blood-stained cardboard near the front entrance.
Kearney lived in a camper outside the home. Neighbors who spoke to police said that the couple fought often and gunshots could be heard during their arguments. Kearney’s neighbors allegedly told police that the suspect was “aggressive” and “violent,” even describing him as a “powder keg.” According to the arrest citation, Kearney told his neighbors that Poole had left for Colorado and was not planning to return.
Kearney was arrested and charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and animal cruelty. He is currently being held at the Knox County Detention Center on $1 million bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 18.
