HORSE CAVE (02/23/26) — State Police say a Hart County man injured in an assault last week has died from his injuries. Troopers were called to a Horse Cave residence on Valentine’s Day where they found 46- year-old John Ray unresponsive. Ray was flown to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died. 43-year-old Brandon Wease of Elizabethtown was arrested later after leading authorities on a pursuit while driving a stolen vehicle that belonged to the victim. Wease was lodged in the Hart County Jail on charges of wanton endangerment and handgun possession by a convicted felon. Ray’s assault and death remain under investigation.
