PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (LEX 18) — On June 18, 2024, it will be one year since relatives say Amber Spradlin was stabbed to death after partying with acquaintances. Her body was found in the home of prominent Prestonsburg dentist Dr. Michael McKinney, who is neither charged with any crime nor named as a suspect - no one is.
With the statute of limitations running out, attorneys representing Spradlin's estate filed a 23-page wrongful death lawsuit that names the person they believe killed Spradlin.
"It's a step in the right direction and we think it's gonna be like dominoes," said Dr. Debbie Hall, Spradlin's cousin. "They're gonna start falling now," she said.
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In the lawsuit, attorneys allege that Spradlin was "stabbed multiple times by Defendant MK, causing her death." MK is Dr. McKinney's son.
The lawsuit states, "Defendants at the residence failed to protect Plaintiff Spradlin, failed to take immediate action to help Plaintiff Spradlin, and possibly removed security cameras installed around the house, prior to a second 911 call being made."
The suit says local officials were negligent in 911 service. In December of 2022, the Floyd County fiscal court voted to have the city of Prestonsburg take over 911 dispatch services from the state police post in Pikeville. On the day of Spradlin's death, there was a 911 call made from the home at 5:30 a.m. that morning before Amber's family believes she was killed.
They said it was about someone else being injured and intoxicated and that Dr. Mckinney told dispatchers the situation was under control, so police didn't respond.
"We feel like there's a very good possibility Amber would still be alive today had someone gone and checked on the situation," said Hall.
Attorneys are suing the City of Prestonsburg, the Prestonsburg Police Department, along with the city's former mayor and police chief for negligence for not responding to the initial 911 call. The lawsuit alleges Dr. McKinney called the then Prestonsburg Police Chief Randy Wood before making that second 911 call. Spradlin's family questions why he did that.
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"He and Dr. McKinney had a phone conversation early that morning before Dr. McKinney ever called 911, and we just find that very suspicious that his first thought was to call the chief of police rather than calling 911," said Hall. Hall, who said she is not an heir to the estate, says the lawsuit is not about money. "I've never done this for money it's because I love amber and someone has to pay for what they've done to her," said Hall.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money to compensate the estate, as well as punitive damages.
