On March 23, 2018, three people were found shot at an abandoned strip mine in the Goff Hollow area of Martin County, Kentucky, near the Pike County line. Thirty-one-year-old Amber Lockard of Huddy, 20-year-old Micah Sammons of Kimper and 26-year-old Dereck L. James of Huddy were located at the scene. Sammons and James were pronounced dead there from gunshot wounds. Lockard survived long enough to be taken to a nearby hospital but died of her injuries on March 27, 2018, which turned the case into a triple homicide.

Lockard’s vehicle, missing from the scene, was recovered in West Virginia the day after her death. A Martin County grand jury later indicted 27-year-old Lance Ward of Williamson, West Virginia, on three counts of murder and two counts of first-degree robbery in connection with the deaths. Ward initially pleaded not guilty and subsequently changed his plea; in January 2020 he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and the robbery charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Anyone who knew Amber, Micah, or Dereck or who has information about the case is asked to come forward.