Published: October 03, 2008 10:55 am      

London man arrested for murder

Michael McQueen charged with shooting girlfriend Christina Hodges, disposing of body in weeds

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A London man has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend Thursday morning.

Michael Kenneth McQueen, 37, was arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend, 32-year-old Christina Hodges.

According to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, the department received a phone call at approximately 11:24 a.m. Thursday. McQueen’s brother stated in the call that Michael McQueen killed his girlfriend and might harm himself, according to news reports.

Laurel County Sheriff Fred Yaden said when police arrived at McQueen’s residence on Haley Ridge Road in Laurel County, McQueen had blood on his jeans.

McQueen was detained and officers then began searching the area around the home, where they located Hodges’ body lying in a weedy area over a hill behind the residence.

“It was behind the house and over the bank,” Yaden said. “It was probably 50 yards (away.)”

Police said Hodges appears to have died from a single gunshot wound, though officials weren’t releasing the location of the wound. Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling said it appears that Hodges had been dead for approximately three to four hours before police arrived. He said an autopsy is scheduled for this morning.

Yaden said officials don’t want to divulge too much information on the incident because it is still under investigation.

“We don’t want to give details, but it appears to be a gunshot wound,” Yaden said.

According to Yaden, McQueen told police that he and Hodges had spats over the years, but said he loved her.

“The suspect had said he loved her,” Yaden said. “His father said they loved each other.”

Yaden also said Hodges had three children, one of whom was McQueen’s child.

McQueen is being held in the Laurel County Detention Center. Assisting at the scene were Kentucky State Police, London City Police, the Laurel County Major Crimes Task Force and Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County.

Det. Tommy Johnston of The Laurel County Major Crimes Task Force leads the ongoing investigation.