KSP: Black Chevy Impala was suspect vehicle in Nelson Co. murders

BARDSTOWN, KY (WAVE) - Kentucky State Police announced on Monday that they believe the person or persons inside a black Chevrolet Impala seen traveling from the Botland community of Nelson County into Bardstown on April 21 are responsible for the murders of a special education teacher and her 16-year-old old daughter.

In a news release issued Monday morning, KSP investigators asked for additional help identifying the occupants of the vehicle, which was seen in the vicinity of the home where Kathy Netherland, 48, and Samantha Netherland, 16, were killed. Samantha was a sophomore at Bardstown High School. Kathy taught special ed at Bardstown Elementary School.

[PREVIOUS STORY: Visitation for mother, daughter killed in Nelson Co. takes place Sunday, Monday]

Police said the Netherlands were murdered around 8 p.m. on the evening of Monday, April 21 and that the Impala was spotted traveling northbound on U.S. 150 from Botland into the Bardstown city limits that same night.

Troopers released a photo of the suspect vehicle, taken from video surveillance.

[PREVIOUS STORY: Deaths of mother, daughter in Nelson County ruled double homicide]

On both Kathy and Samantha Netherland's obituaries in lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy were requested to the Humane Society of Nelson County.

"They were both really great people," said Chuck Dickerson, Humane Society of Nelson County employee. "They worked as a team."

This was a place where both mother and daughter enjoyed volunteering. Dickerson says their hard work and dedication didn't go unnoticed.

"First time I worked with them, usually when volunteers come in, most of them want to sit around and play with the dogs and then take them out walking, but they were different," said Dickerson.

Dickerson says they weren't afraid to tackle the cleaning and help out in any way they could even showing up at the shelter on snow days.

"I asked them, I said what are you doing, the roads are bad and they said we came to help and they did," said Dickerson.

It's been a tough week for the Humane Society and everyone who knew and loved the Netherlands. They were discovered Tuesday morning dead in their home.

"Who would do this to these people?" wondered Dickerson.

The Netherlands were laid to rest Monday afternoon. The Humane Society of Nelson County plans to put up a plaque to remember a mother and daughter gone too soon.

"They meant a lot to us and they are going to be greatly missed," said Dickerson.

Anyone who owns, had access to or knows someone who was operating a 2006 to 2013 model year Chevrolet Impala matching the photograph on April 21, 2014, should call Kentucky State Police at 270-766-5078.

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