KSP confirms Knox County man died from gunshot wound

UPDATE: (4/23/18, 8:00 p.m.)

Kentucky State Police confirmed on Monday night that Sowders died from a gunshot wound.

Police say they are continuing to investigate and no charges have been filed.

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Kentucky State Police have identified the man they believe was murdered after discovering him Friday morning.

Troopers say a forestry worker found the man's body around 9:15 a.m. Friday. The body was in a dump site off Hinkle Branch Road, which runs off Paynes Creek Road in rural portions of Knox County.

The man was identified as Michael Sowders of Barbourville. Sowders' Facebook profile shows he was a volunteer firefighter in Artemus, and he previously worked as an emergency medical technician at Whitley County EMS.

Authorities believe Sowders' body was not in the location for a long period of time.

People who live in the area were shocked to hear why investigators were at the scene.

“This is like God’s country here," nearby resident James Jackson says, "I mean for something like this to happen this close to home is frightening.”

Investigators did not reveal how the man was killed. It is unknown if there are any suspects at this time.