West Frankfort man charged with murder of missing woman

A West Frankfort man has been charged with first degree murder, in the death of a 29-year-old woman whose body was found Monday near Angelville Road in Williamson County.

According to West Frankfort Police Chief John E. Prudent, the 48-year-old suspect, Thomas D. McCoy, led police to the body of Kendra M. Ardery of West Frankfort. Prudent said the body was hidden in tall weeds alongside Angelville Road, just south of Meadowlark Road in Williamson County.

McCoy, of the 200 block of North Gardner Street in West Frankfort, is charged with first degree murder, concealing a homicidal death and abusing a corpse, authorities said. He is being held in the Franklin County Jail.

It is unknown how Kendra Ardery died, and whether she was killed where her body was discovered or killed somewhere else and dumped on Angelville Road. Her mother, who made Facebook pleas over the weekend for her daughter's safety, said on her Facebook page that Kendra's cellphone was found in Johnston City. She also said that Kendra was the mother of five children.

Ardery was reporting missing on Friday, Aug. 9. According to Prudent, an investigation into her disappearance began Sunday, involving the West Frankfort and Johnston City police, and the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.

"Through the course of the investigation, Thomas D. McCoy ... became a suspect in Kendra's disappearance," Prudent's news release said. "McCoy was interviewed by investigators from the West Frankfort Police Department and subsequently disclosed the location of Kendra's body."

Prudent added that no other arrests are anticipated, and that the investigation continues.

Williamson County Coroner Junior Burke said in a news release Monday that an autopsy is being performed Monday.