Southeastern Kentucky communities are mourning the losses of loved ones who were killed as tornadoes and heavy storms rushed through the region May 16.
As of May 21, 19 people had died in Kentucky due to the severe weather event, Gov. Andy Beshear said. Of the deaths confirmed by the state, 17 were in Laurel County, one was in Pulaski and another was in Russell. National Weather Service officials are still confirming the details of the tornado that went through Laurel and Pulaski counties, but preliminary findings suggest it was of at least EF-3 strength.
Here is what we know about each person identified by officials:
Major Leslie Leatherman of the Laurel County Fire Department was confirmed dead after he responded to a fire alarm around 11:47 p.m. May 16. First responders found him lying on top of his wife, who was critically injured by a tornado that tore through the county.
Leatherman, 58, a Laurel County Fire Department major, died while trying to save his wife from danger as a tornado cut through London.
Laurel County fire officials said Leatherman was responding to a fire alarm on Sunshine Hill Road just as a tornado touched down in the area. First responders arrived at the scene to find a woman with an unconscious man on top of her calling for help. The woman, later identified as Michelle Leatherman, Leslie’s wife, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Leslie was later identified as the unconscious man.
Because it was likely so dark and noisy during the response time, Laurel County fire officials believe it may have been difficult for Leslie Leatherman to discern who he was trying to rescue.
Debra Edelman
Edelman, 93, of Richmond, Indiana, was in a house boat on the State Boat Dock of Lake Cumberland when she died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator running, Russell County Coroner Mark Coots said. The electricity in the boat went out due to the strong storms in the area.
Melodie Godby
Godby, 68, died from blunt force trauma sustained during a storm in the Poplarville community, Pulaski County Coroner Clyde Strunk said.
Other victims who have been identified by officials in Laurel County include:
(This story will be updated.)
Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Who died in the Kentucky tornadoes? What we know about the 19 victims