On Friday, September 19, 2025 the quiet community of Morehead, Kentucky, was shaken after a mother and her 13-year-old daughter were found dead inside their home
Police have now charged 44-year-old Joshua W. Cottrell with two counts of murder and evidence tampering in connection with the killings of 37-year-old Kayla Blake and her daughter, Kennedi McWhorter.
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| Kayla Blake |
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| Kennedi McWhorter |
According to Kentucky State Police (KSP) and multiple local outlets, officers were called to Blake’s home around 10:15 a.m. after she failed to show up for work.
When officers entered, they found both Kayla and Kennedi dead inside.
Just a few hours later, officers located Cottrell at a nearby hospital, and he was arrested shortly after receiving medical treatment.
Further investigation revealed that he had stabbed the victims’ and moved their bodies after the stabbing. Infact during his arrest, officers found blood on his clothes, as per PEOPLE
Criminal investigators later revealed that Cottrell and Kayla were in a relationship, and according to them, she had told her friends that “things were good, and they were happy.”
However, investigators say they have not yet determined a clear motive for the crime.
According to Court documents, this was not the first time Cottrell had faced serious criminal charges.
When he was 21, he was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for killing 36-year-old Richie Phillips.
At the time, he had initially been charged with murder. However, the charge was reduced after Cottrell claimed he killed the victim in self-defense after unwanted sexual advances were made toward him.
During that earlier case, he faced additional charges, including theft by unlawful taking and tampering with physical evidence.
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| Joshua Cottrell |
Friends, family, and colleagues have spoken out following the devastating deaths of Kayla Blake and her daughter Kennedi, describing them as kind, loving, and deeply connected to their community.
Kayla, a nurse at the Addiction Recovery Institute of America (ARIA), was praised by her coworkers for her compassion and dedication.
“She had a real passion for helping others. She loved her job,” said Jami Coots, the women’s facility director at ARIA. “Even when she wasn’t on the clock, you could always call Kayla for help.”
Kennedi was remembered as a bright and active teen who loved softball, excelled in school, and was active in her church youth group.
Her obituary described her as “a devoted member of Better Life Church in Morehead,” noting that her kindness and faith touched the hearts of many, as per PEOPLE.
“Her love for softball shone through in her performances on both her school and travel teams,” the obituary read. “She had a remarkable ability to uplift those around her.”
The Rowan County Schools community also held a day of remembrance for Kennedi on September 22, 2025, saying her positive energy “touched the lives of many.”
Cottrell is currently being held at the McCracken County Jail on a $1 million bond. He faces one count of murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
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