California man charged with murder of missing veteran

By Allyson Dix

Jobe Publishing, Inc.

 

Human remains found in Metcalfe County have led to a murder charge for a California man.

According to Kentucky State Police, on Aug. 11, 2022, Metcalfe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) requested assistance with a missing person investigation on Breeding Road.

KSP Troopers and Detectives launched an investigation after learning that 35-year-old Corey Nathan Hart, of Greenfield, Wisconsin, was reported missing.

Over six months later, KSP confirmed human remains were found on Betty Sparkman Road, approximately 5 miles from where Hart was last seen.

“On February 22, 2023, at approximately 9:30 A.M. CST, KSP received information that an individual had located possible human remains on Betty Sparkman Road in Metcalfe County. KSP Troopers and Detectives responded to the area and confirmed the remains were indeed human,” the news release states.

The state medical examiner’s office was able to quickly identify the human remains to be those of Hart due to rapid DNA testing technology.

Detectives obtained information during the investigation that led to the arrest of Christopher Andre Leon, 38, of Calipatria, California on Feb. 23.

KSP Trooper William Spears of KSP Post 12 in Frankfort served the arrest warrant in Lexington and Leon was lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center.

He was transferred to the Barren County Detention Center where he is being held on a $5 million bond and a March 22 court appearance.

KSP Detective Mike Dubree continues the murder investigation.

MCSO and the county’s emergency management authorities were called to the 5416 Breeding Road residence on July 10, 2022. He had reportedly left his residence two days prior.

Hart was a retired member of the armed forces.