Police confirm dig on property at address related to 2017 murder and missing person

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The Jeffersontown Police Department confirmed findings in Monday’s investigative dig in the Beechmont neighborhood are connected to a 2017 murder and missing persons case.

Jeffersontown Police Department, Louisville Metro Police Department’s Homicide Unit and the FBI conducted a search warrant in the 100 block of Ottawa Ave in relation to an ongoing narcotics investigation.

A cadaver dog was at the scene with digging equipment and vehicles from the FBI Evidence Response team.

Police confirmed the dig is in relation to the murder of 27-year-old Teresa McCoy and the disappearance of Austin Gamez.

During the investigation, JPD uncovered new information regarding the case of McCoy and the missing person case of Gamez, which is tied to the Ottawa address.

Back in December 2017, McCoy was found shot to death inside an SUV parked at the Bessler Auto Parts salvage yard on Strawberry Lane.

Investigators believed Gamez is dead, though his body has yet to be found.

Throughout the investigation, charges were filed against two people, though they were eventually dropped. Police confirmed the person who currently lives at the address where the dig is occurring is not involved.

The Jeffersontown Police Department is being assisted by the FBI and LMPD.

On Tuesday, LMPD released the following statement:

“On March 13th, 2023, the Jeffersontown Police Department, Louisville Metro Police Department’s Homicide Unit and the FBI conducted a search warrant at 103 Ottawa Ave in relation to an on-going narcotics investigation. Through their investigation, the Jeffersontown Police Department uncovered new information regarding the 2017 homicide case of Teresa McCoy and the missing persons case of Austin Gamez which is tied to the Ottawa address. To protect the integrity of the case, we are not prepared to discuss the findings of the search warrant. The Louisville Metro Police Department, Jeffersontown Police Department and the FBI would like to thank the Ottawa Avenue residents for their patience during this operation. We will provide future updates if and when further information is necessary for dissemination. Anyone with any information about this case is encouraged to call our anonymous tip lip at 502-574-LMPD or our online crime tip portal Report a Tip / Crime | Louisville Metro PD, KY. Due to the ongoing nature of this active investigation, we are unable to speak further about this case.”

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