Kentucky State Police Conducts Death Investigation in Pike County

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (October 15, 2024) – The Kentucky State Police Pikeville Post received a call on Monday, October 14, 2024, regarding a domestic disturbance in the Pikeville community of Pike County.

KSP troopers and investigators responded to a residence on Old Wagner Station Road where they attempted to contact subjects inside the residence.  

A male inside the residence began making threats towards law enforcement and the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team was activated. 

After several hours of negotiating, the male subject, later identified as Alex Yuhas, was taken into custody. 

The initial investigation indicated a domestic altercation between Alex Yuhas, 59 years old of Pikeville and his mother, 75-year-old, Paulette Mullins of Pikeville led to Mullins suffering a fatal gunshot wound. Mullins was pronounced deceased at the scene by Pike County Coroner’s Office. Mullins’ body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

As a result of this investigation, Alex Yuhas was arrested and lodged in the Pike County Detention Center on charges of Murder-Domestic Violence, Terroristic Threatening, and Assault 3rd Degree.

Detective Jason Merlo is leading the investigation. He was assisted on scene by KSP personnel, Kentucky State Police Special Response Team, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Coal Run Police Department, Pike County Emergency Management, and Lifeguard Ambulance Service.