Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office, along with state and federal authorities, are investigating an incident involving a single motorized parachute aircraft in the area of Ashgrove Road. 

According to Coroner Michael Hughes, the incident occurred approximately at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, with an aircraft called the Buckeye Dream Machine. It led to the death of married couple, Michael David Murphy, 72-years-old, and Connie Jean Murphy, also 72, from Lexington. Hughes said there is no suspected drug or alcohol use, and that autopsies have been completed. Results from the autopsies won’t be back for numerous weeks. 

The couple is survived by their daughters Kristen McClure, and Kara Crosby Jared, granddaughters Sophia McClure, Delaney McClure, Camilla Cosby and Declan Cosby; Connie’s brother Steve Clark; and her pet Hazel.

A reception was held on Saturday, November 2nd 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Clark Legacy Center, Brannon Crossing (601 E Brannon Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lexington Humane Society.

Monday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had already been in touch with the coroner and the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office. 

According to a preliminary report by the FAA, the aircraft crashed under ‘unknown circumstances’ during landing, resulting in it flipping over. It happened in a field on Ashgrove Road in Nicholasville. 

According to Sheriff Kevin Grimes, Michael David Murphy retired from the Lexington Police Department in 2000 and got his pilot’s license in 2010, so he’s been flying for at least 14 years. “I knew him, he was a great guy,” Grimes said. 

Sheriff Grimes said this is Jessamine County’s third death and fourth crash of Buckeye Dream Machine in about 25 years.