LONDON, Ky. ( FOX 56) — A body was found on Wednesday in Laurel County. During a news conference, authorities said a body discovered near exit 49 on I-75 has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for positive identification and to determine the cause of death.

The body found near exit 49 in Laurel County on Wednesday afternoon has been positively identified by officials as Laurel County shooting suspect Joseph Couch.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday that Kentucky’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Ralston and the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab have confirmed the unidentified body found Wednesday off Exit 49,

Police have found a body in Laurel County. Kentucky State Police said troopers located a body near exit 49 on I-75 and are working with authorities to confirm the identity of the body. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Body found near exit 49 on I-75 in Laurel County Family picking up the pieces after man dies in Jessamine County trailer fire Montgomery County middle schooler could face ‘serious’ charges The discovery comes 12 days after five people were injured in a highway shooting in the Exit 49 area.

This discovery comes as authorities continue their investigation into the September 7th shooting on I-75 near exit 49, where multiple people were shot while traveling in their vehicles.

The body found Wednesday near the Kentucky highway where a gunman opened fire Sept. 7 has been identified as the suspected shooter, Joseph A. Couch, officials said on Friday.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the state police crime lab and Kentucky's chief medical examiner had identified the body found near exit 49 on I-75 Wednesday who was suspected to be Joseph Couch.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the state police crime lab and Kentucky's chief medical examiner had identified the body.

DNA extracted through bone marrow confirmed the body found earlier this week was Joseph Couch, who has been accused of shooting five people on the interstate.