I Played Basketball With Him in Grayson County; Weeks Later, He Dismembered a Man and Dumped the Body in a River
Man with a violent past
September 22, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 22, 2026
Joshua William Cottrell, from Leitchfield, Kentucky, who was arrested in 2003 for the gruesome murder has now been charged in another horrific crime more than two decades later.
He was arrested in 2003 in connection with the gruesome killing of Richie Phillips, a 36-year-old man from Rineyville.
Though the two were not seen together shortly before Phillips’ disappearance, they were known to each other.
Phillips vanished on June 17 after having lunch with a friend in Elizabethtown.
Days later, his body was discovered folded into a suitcase floating in Rough River Lake, which two fishermen discovered.
The briefcase, not belonging to Phillips, contained personal effects and a distinctive wildcat tattoo that helped authorities tentatively identify the body.
Dental records later confirmed it was Phillips.
Cottrell, who has a prior criminal history involving stolen property and criminal mischief, was located in Grayson County following an anonymous tip and charged with murder.
Investigators believe he placed Phillips’ body in a fetal position inside a wheeled suitcase measuring roughly 12 by 24 by 18 inches.
The motive remains unclear, though robbery has been ruled out.
Phillips’ truck was found abandoned in southern Indiana, and his wallet surfaced in a nearby stream feeding into Rough River Lake, 20 to 30 miles from where the body was recovered.
Still, the brutality of the act has left a community stunned, especially those who once knew Cottrell casually, perhaps even on a basketball court.
Moreover, shared this gruesome news and recalled the time when she played basketball with him, saying:
I busted this mans nose playing basketball with him once in Grayson county.
Moreover, she mentioned he allegedly spent time with underage girls, saying:
Not sure why he was hanging out with 12 year old girls.That was 2 weeks prior to his first arrest when he murdered a man and chopped him up, put him into a suitcase and threw him into the river. Why is he out of prison anyways??
Reported Boyfriend Joshua William Cottrell, 44, Named Prime Suspect in Double Murder of Kayla Blake and Her 13-Year-Old Daughter
Joshua W. Cottrell, 44, of Morehead, Kentucky, in a double murder case involving 37-year-old Kayla Blake and her 13-year-old daughter, Kennedi McWhorter.
The victims were found dead in their home on Spring Street after a coworker called 911 for a welfare check when Blake didn’t show up to work.
Kentucky State Police located Cottrell at a hospital in Paducah around 2 p.m. the same day.
After receiving treatment, he was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
He is currently being held at the McCracken County Jail as the investigation continues.
- Check other Articles on
Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.
Related articles
February 11, 2026
February 11, 2026
February 6, 2026
February 6, 2026
Comments
LEAVE A REPLY
Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Share article
- April 29, 2026 William James Simmons, a graduate of Hobbton High School, sadly passed away on Sunday. Simmons was born on February 3, 2000, to his father, Adam...
- April 29, 2026 Ryan Todd, a graduate of Kishwaukee College and an avid sports fan, has sadly passed away on Saturday. Todd was born on December 4, 1997,...
- April 29, 2026 A disturbing situation reported at a Houston-area gas station sparked widespread outrage after claims surfaced that surveillance footage involving a middle school student was...
- April 28, 2026 A wave of frustration is sweeping through Auburn, New York, after residents took to social media to sound the alarm about a pattern of...
- April 27, 2026 A true legend of dirt track racing in the Upper Midwest and the 2026 Hibbing Speedway Hall of Famer, Jeff Hinkemeyer, has sadly passed...
