Just before midnight on December 23, 2025, Kentucky State Police, Post 7 in Richmond, received a request from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department for investigative assistance regarding a fatal house fire on Upper Dry Fork Road in McKee.
Kentucky State Police troopers and detectives, along with the Jackson County Coroner, responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed that three children were pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of the fire: a 7 month old, a 2 year old, and a 3 year old.
A fourth child, a 4 year old, was transported to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital and later transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, for further treatment.
Three adults, Tyler Monst, 23 of McKee, Morgan Johnson, 22 of McKee, and Florence Johnson, 76 of McKee, were transported to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the fire. The cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing and is being led by KSP Detective Anthony Bowling. He was assisted at the scene by Kentucky State Police personnel, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Multiple Fire Departments and the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.
The family is devastated. They lost everything.
Monst’s mother, Lana, started a GoFundMe campaign on Christmas Day to raise money to help the family as they recover from their injuries. As of 6 p.m. on Dec. 26, a little more than $7,000 had been raised. The goal is to raise $9,000.
“They’ve lost everything they own, their house, their clothes—they have nothing. They live in Jackson County, Kentucky. If you could please donate anything, it would help. Thank you, God bless you,” Lana Monst wrote on the page.
According to an update on GoFundMe, Tyler Monst is recovering from third-degree burns on his face and the bottom of his feet. His daughter will receive a skin graft surgery.
Members of the community have risen to the occasion. Lynetta Hunter and Living Stone Outreach Inc. (a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating, supporting, and providing for our community) have dedicated efforts to help.
The funerals for the three children lost in the fire (Bentlyey, Addie, and Turner Monst) are being managed by Lakes Funeral Home in McKee, KY.
According to a representative of Lakes Funeral Home, the funeral expenses will be taken care of by Father Jim Sichko.
Father Sichko wrote on his social media page, “I have spoken to the Coroner, Conley Tyra, who is also the owner of Lakes Funeral Home in McKee, KY! I will handle ALL FUNERAL EXPENSES for the 3 children who lost their lives in the fire. No funds from and GoFundMe you see will go to funeral expenses, as I will cover this.
Father Sichko is a full-time preacher, evangelist, and motivational speaker based in the Diocese of Lexington, KY. Commissioned by Pope Francis as one of his Papal Missionaries of Mercy, a role he continues for Pope Leo XIV, Father Jim travels globally leading missions, retreats, and days of reflection.
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