Authorities have launched a death investigation after two individuals were discovered deceased inside a vehicle blocking the roadway near the intersection of KY Highway 92 West and KY Highway 2792 on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
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At approximately 11:10 a.m., Major Tony Dingess responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle—a gray Chevrolet Malibu—stopped in the middle of the roadway with an unresponsive driver.
Upon arrival, Dingess located the vehicle with its engine running and found the driver, identified as 60-year-old George Glenn Gaertner of Struck, Kentucky, deceased behind the wheel.
A female passenger, identified as 60-year-old Surja M. Gaertner, was also found deceased inside the vehicle.
During the investigation, authorities recovered a handgun from the scene.
The Whitley County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation under case number 25-118-0060.
The Kentucky State Police in McCreary County have notified the victims’ next of kin.
An autopsy has been scheduled at the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort to determine the cause of death.
The investigation is ongoing, led by Major Tony Dingess, with assistance from Deputies David Rowe and Heather Lindsay, the Williamsburg Police Department, Kentucky State Police Post 11, Whitley County EMS, and Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley.
