Press Release from Kentucky State Police
Kay Jay, Ky. (November 19, 2018) On May 11, 2017 Kentucky State Police Det. Aaron Frederick with Post 10 Harlan began a death investigation when a 33 year old male individual was located inside of a burnt residence deceased. The body of Charles Phipps of Kay Jay was located inside of his residence and sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy. The autopsy revealed he had an injury to his torso, suggestive of a gunshot wound.
On October 31, 2018 Det. Frederick received new information and evidence in the case. Det. Frederick was told the father of Charles Phipps had shot and killed his own son. According to the information received from a witness, Paul Phipps (60) of Barbourville lived next to his son and on the night of May 11ththe father walked over to his son’s residence to recover his 9mm pistol when a physical altercation occurred. Information was given to Det. Frederick that the father was gone approximately 15-20 minutes and then multiple gunshots were heard. Paul returned back to his residence and stated his son’s residence was fully engulfed with fire and smoke.
Through information gathered on this investigation, a search warrant was conducted on November 5, 2018 at Paul Phipps residence. Detectives with KSP recovered a severely burned 9mm pistol in Paul’s bedroom closet.
On November 19, 2018 at 7:15 pm KSP Det. Frederick arrested Mr. Phipps at his residence and charged him with one count of murder. Mr. Phipps was lodged into the Knox County Detention Center.
Case is still under investigation by Det. Arron Frederick.
