It’s been over a decade since Brookelyn Farthing vanished into the humid Kentucky night, and honestly, the details of that evening still feel like something out of a low-budget horror flick that unfortunately happened in real life. If you’ve spent any time on true crime forums, you’ve probably seen her face—blonde hair, bright smile, and that "FFA" t-shirt she was wearing when she was last seen. But when people talk about Brookelyn, one name always bubbles up to the surface: Josh Hensley.
Basically, if you want to understand why this case is so stuck, you have to look at the timeline of June 22, 2013. It’s a mess of confusing texts, a suspicious house fire, and a series of "he said, she said" moments that have left the Madison County community reeling for years.
What Really Happened at the House on Dillon Court?
Brookelyn was just 18. She had just graduated from Madison South High School and was doing what most 18-year-olds do in June—celebrating. After a party on Red Lick Road, she ended up at a house on Dillon Court belonging to an acquaintance, Josh Hensley.
Now, here is where things get weird.
According to reports, Brookelyn was at the house while Hensley supposedly went to "check on some horses." That sounds innocent enough if you’re in rural Kentucky, but the timing is what makes people lose sleep. While she was there, she was texting. And she wasn't texting about the weather.
The Texts That Change Everything
You’ve probably sent a "can you pick me up" text before, but Brookelyn’s messages were different. Around 4:00 AM, she reached out to her sister, Paige, asking for a ride. Paige couldn't do it. Then, Brookelyn messaged an ex-boyfriend.
- 4:26 AM: She texts her ex saying she’s "scared" and tells him to "please hurry."
- 5:30 AM: A final, bizarre text comes from her phone. It says she’s going to a party in Rockcastle County and tells him "never mind" about the ride.
Her family doesn't believe she wrote that last text. It doesn't sound like her. It's too calm, too "never mind," considering an hour earlier she was terrified.
The Role of Josh Hensley
Josh Hensley has always been the central figure in this narrative, though it’s important to be clear: he hasn't been charged with her disappearance. He told police that when he returned to his home around 7:00 AM, the house—specifically the couch—was on fire.
He claimed Brookelyn was gone.
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Think about that for a second. You come home, your house is on fire, and the girl who was just on your couch is missing. Her shoes were still there. Her bag was still there. But she was gone.
Investigators found the fire suspicious. Why wouldn't they? Couches don't usually just burst into flames while someone goes to check on horses. Hensley’s behavior after the fire has been a major point of contention for Brookelyn’s mother, Kimberly Tillery. She’s gone on record saying it’s "puzzling" that his first instinct wasn't to scream that someone might be inside the burning building.
The Search and the Silence
In the weeks following the disappearance, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) went into overdrive. We're talking 16,000 acres searched. Divers in cow ponds. Cadaver dogs in the woods. They asked neighbors to look for "freshly turned earth" or "unusual smells."
It’s the kind of request that makes a small town hold its breath.
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But despite the $14,000 reward and the national coverage on shows like Still a Mystery, the case went cold. Josh Hensley eventually moved on, though he’s faced unrelated legal issues over the years, which always brings his name back into the headlines. Every time he’s in the news for something else, the community starts whispering again.
Why hasn't there been an arrest?
Honestly, it comes down to evidence. Without a body or a confession, it’s incredibly hard to bring a murder charge, especially when the primary "crime scene" was scorched by fire.
The KSP maintains that the case is "open and active." They still get tips. They still look at the forensic data from the cell towers. But as of 2026, the answers remain buried somewhere in the hills of Madison County.
How You Can Help This Case
If you live in or around Berea, or if you were hanging out in the Red Lick Road area back in 2013, think back. Sometimes people hold onto a "small" detail because they think it isn't important. In cases like this, the small details are everything.
Actionable Steps for the Public:
- Review the Clothes: She was wearing a gray Madison County FFA t-shirt and denim shorts. If you ever found discarded clothing in a remote area of Estill or Jackson County, report it.
- Report Old Tips: If you heard someone bragging or talking about that night years ago, even if you think they were lying, call it in.
- Contact the Authorities: The Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond is still taking leads at 859-623-2404. You can also remain anonymous.
The Farthing family has spent over a decade in a state of "ambiguous loss." They aren't looking for a miracle anymore; they’re looking for the truth. Whether that truth involves Josh Hensley or someone else entirely, the goal remains the same: bring Brookelyn home.
The best thing you can do right now is share her story. Use the hashtags, keep her face in the public eye, and don't let the fire on Dillon Court be the final word on her life.
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Source References:
- Kentucky State Police Post 7 Official Records
- LEX 18 News Archives (2013-2024)
- Find Brookelyn Farthing Official Search Site
- Investigation Discovery: Still a Mystery Season 1