Reacheal Dawson vanished from rural Kentucky on June 26, 2025, after leaving home for an evening walk. Within hours, her body was discovered at the Red Roof Inn in Winchester — and investigators quickly identified a name her grieving family did not yet know: Brian Epperson.
Background
Dawson, 29, had been missing only briefly before authorities located her remains in a hotel room rented by Epperson, 45. According to records reviewed by Law&Crime, the victim had a large amount of methamphetamine in her system despite family insistence she did not use drugs. A drug capsule was lodged in her esophagus, her arms were positioned as if she had been resisting, and she had been sexually assaulted.
The discovery came roughly one month after another woman's body surfaced under eerily similar circumstances — and after Epperson had already been arrested and charged with murder.
Kristen Morris, 32, died from an overdose on May 31, 2025, her body discovered in an Airbnb rental that investigators say Epperson had booked. The Kentucky State Police announced July 9, 2025, that a "lengthy investigation" — conducted with assistance from the Powell County coroner — led to Epperson's arrest and murder charge in Morris' death.
But between Morris' discovery and her accused killer's arrest, Dawson had already disappeared.
Dawson's family told WDRB they believe authorities could have intervened sooner. Dominique Dawson, Reacheal's brother, said he thinks Epperson should never have been free to allegedly harm his sister — given the circumstances surrounding Morris' death.
"Had this been addressed, he wouldn't have even been in the presence of my sister," Dominique Dawson told the outlet.
Investigators reportedly learned that Dawson and Epperson had exchanged messages before her disappearance. Her sister, Kay Dawson, said she understood he worked as a contractor.
A third death has also drawn scrutiny. In November 2024, Hilory Davis was found dead from a drug overdose in a room authorities say Epperson allegedly booked. No charges have been filed in connection with Davis' death.
The Investigation
Epperson remains in the Clark County Detention Center on state charges of murder, possession of methamphetamine, and video voyeurism — the murder charge stemming from Morris' case, not Dawson's. Federally, he faces distribution of methamphetamine charges connected to Dawson's death specifically.
At a court hearing, authorities detailed what they allege was Epperson's internet search history during the relevant timeframe. According to testimony cited by WDRB, one search read: "How long does it take for the jaw to lock?" Another allegedly returned: "Why doesn't it bother me to watch someone die."
The timeline connecting these cases has drawn particular attention from investigators and Dawson's family alike.
Key Takeaways
- Reacheal Dawson, 29, was found dead June 26, 2025, at the Red Roof Inn in Winchester, Kentucky — a room rented by Brian Epperson
- Authorities say Dawson had methamphetamine in her system despite family reports she did not use drugs; she showed signs of assault and apparent resistance
- Epperson was already under arrest and charged with murder for Kristen Morris' May 31 death when Dawson disappeared
- A third woman, Hilory Davis, died in November 2024 from an overdose in a room allegedly booked by Epperson; no charges have been filed in that case
- Federal drug distribution charges tied to Dawson's death are pending against Epperson; her family wants murder charges instead
What's Next
Epperson is scheduled to face federal trial August 3 on methamphetamine distribution charges connected to Dawson's death. His state murder charge related to Morris' death remains pending in Clark County.
Dawson's family has publicly criticized the lack of a murder charge in her case, calling the drug distribution allegation insufficient given what they describe as overwhelming evidence. Her sister told WDRB she fears additional victims may exist.
"I think my sister helped a serial killer get off the streets, because we don't know how long he's been doing this to people," Kay Dawson said.