Authorities identify man in truck stop photo who spoke with N.Ky. murder victim

FLORENCE, Ky. - The Boone County Sheriff's Office has identified a man they were investigating as a possible person of interest in the slaying of a Northern Kentucky couple.

Deputies released a photo from the Travel Centers of America truck stop in the 7700 of Burlington Pike on Wednesday, June 22 in hopes of identifying the man who was seen speaking with Bill Stephenson on May 27, 2011.

Bill Stephenson and his wife Peggy, both 74 years old, were found dead in their Ridge Edge Court home on Sunday, May 29.

The sheriff's office said the man in the truck stop photo contacted the Meriwether County Sheriff's Office in Georgia on Thursday after he learned authorities in the Tri-State were searching for him. He was very cooperative and submitted to an interview with Georgia authorities, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Office. The man, whose identity is not being released at this time, is a truck driver who was notified by an acquaintance who saw his picture on television locally.

Authorities wanted to speak with him because he may have been the last person to speak with Bill Stephenson before he died. A family member of the Florence couple went to their home after they failed to show up for church on May 29.

Investigators are not releasing many details on how the couple died, only saying the case is being treated as a double homicide.

The sheriff's office says there has been renewed interest in the case among the public who have provided additional leads not connected with the photo. Anyone with information is asked to call the Boone County Sheriff's Office top line at (859)334-3500 or Crime Stoppers at (513)352-3040.