Third Arrest Made in Hart County Murder Case

Dale E. Hodge (65), of Elizabethtown

Darren Doyle, story:
A third arrest has been made in the Hart County murder case from Saturday, according to Kentucky State Police.

On Sunday, July 31st, 2022, Kentucky State Police located and arrested a third individual in connection with the murder of Robert W. Myers.  Dale E. Hodge (65), of Elizabethtown, was charged with murder (complicity) and lodged in the Hardin County Jail.

KSP confirmed that Dale Hodge is the father of Brandon Hodge, who was arrested on Saturday in connection with the same murder case.

​On Saturday, July 30, 2022, Kentucky State Police reportedly located the Uhaul truck involved in Friday's murder in Hart County.  KSP later located and arrested Cecil Daniels (21), of Elizabethtown and Brandon M. Hodge (31), of Elizabethtown in connection with the murder of Robert W. Myers, police said. Both Daniels and Hodge have been charged with murder and were lodged in the Hart County Jail.

According to the Hart County Jail website, Daniels is being held on a $1,000,000 bond and Hodge is being held without bond.

On Friday evening, July 29th just before 6PM, KSP Post 3 was requested by the Hart County Sheriff's Office to conduct a death investigation in the Magnolia community.  Hart County deputies responded to 10070 Hammonsville Road and located a deceased male in a yard near the residence, according to the Kentucky State Police.

As troopers and detectives arrived on the scene, the investigation revealed Robert W. Myers (78), confronted three white male suspects actively taking items from a residence Myers owned, police said.  KSP also stated that the confrontation lead to Myers sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, contributing to his death.  Robert Myers was pronounced deceased on scene by the Hart County Coroner’s Office. Three male suspects were observed leaving the scene in a Uhaul truck traveling north on KY 357 in Hart County.

"The victim confronted the individuals taking items from a residence he owned," said Kentucky State Police Post 3 Public Information Officer Daniel Priddy. "I would definitely say he was protecting his property."

This story was updated to note that KSP confirmed that the Hodges were father and son.
​