DNA Confirms Remains Found in Big Creek Are Those of Missing Clay County Man

Big Creek, KY — After nearly five years of uncertainty, the family of David Campbell finally has answers. DNA testing has confirmed that human remains discovered in April 2023 in the Big Creek community belong to Campbell, who was reported missing in October 2020.

Coroner Jason Abner received the confirmation Wednesday and contacted Campbell’s first cousin Mark Hoskins with the news.

“We’ve waited a long time to get this answer,” Hoskins said about the family.  “Today brings us closure in one aspect of David’s disappearance.”

According to Clay County Sheriff Patrick Robinson, the grim discovery was made by two men repairing a fence to contain their donkey. The men came across a human skull and bones just off Kentucky Highway 66, less than half a mile from where Campbell lived.

Deputy Coroner Rhonda Smith and deputies Coty Arnold and Jeremy Gabbard worked through the night to collect evidence from the scene. In addition to skeletal remains, several articles of clothing were also recovered. The search continued the following morning as officials scoured the area for additional remains.

At the time of the discovery, Sheriff Robinson said the remains were located near the residence of a man who had been missing since 2020. Although initial suspicions pointed to Campbell, formal identification was delayed pending DNA analysis in partnership with the Kentucky State Police.

David Campbell, 49, was last seen on October 22, 2020, walking along KY-66 near his home. A massive search was launched in the days that followed, but no trace of him was found. Campbell, who was disabled and suffered from Parkinson’s disease, was under the care of Danny and Gloria Gibson at the time. On the day he went missing, the Gibsons contacted family members in the area asking if anyone had seen him.

Sheriff Robinson said the department is not releasing further information due to the ongoing investigation, but confirmation of the remains has brought closure to a mystery that has haunted the Big Creek community for years.

“This has been a long and painful journey for the Campbell family,” Sheriff Robinson said. “We hope this news brings them some measure of peace.”

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Campbell’s disappearance and death remains open.