Federal authorities in LEXINGTON, Ky., have arrested the fiancé of a Clark County woman whose tragic fatal overdose in June 2025 was allegedly tied to Brian Epperson, charging him with federal obstruction of justice.
A criminal complaint outlines that prosecutors initially charged Epperson in June 2025 following the heartbreaking death of Reacheal Dawson, the fiancée of Kaylieb Thompson, before securing a federal indictment against him in October 2025.
Investigators have connected Epperson to the devastating overdose deaths of three Kentucky women.
The complaint states that in the aftermath, Thompson repeatedly issued death threats against Epperson and directed online threats toward investigating officers via his social media accounts.
Law enforcement arrested Thompson in November 2025 on three counts of terroristic threatening for targeting officers involved in the case; he subsequently entered a guilty plea, completed 44 days in state custody, and remains on probation.
By June 2026, Thompson “initiated his “roving billboard” campaign” using the bed of his pickup truck to display a prominent photo of Epperson.
Richmond Police responded on June 2 to reports concerning a man spotted on an I-75 overpass, whom officers later confirmed to be Thompson.
Body cameras recorded Thompson during that encounter voicing deadly threats against Epperson, stating that he “only got three years, but if they let him out this time, I’ll kill him, I’ll slaughter him.”
Authorities also allege that Thompson positioned his mobile billboard truck near the cemetery where Epperson’s late father rests, “with a menacing message that Epperson deserves to be in a grave next to his father.”
Starting on June 25, Thompson tried to arrange an in-person visit with Epperson at the Clark County Detention Center, though Epperson reportedly turned down the visitation request.
Epperson’s defense attorney withdrew from the proceedings in July citing Thompson’s ongoing interference, which ultimately pushed Epperson’s jury trial back to November.
During a live-streamed broadcast this past September, Thompson declared that he “will be getting more active on this and (he) will be getting more physically active with getting justice for (Dawson).”
The complaint emphasizes that these remarks, alongside other statements in the video, can be “easily perceived as a warning to law enforcement that he intends to escalate his approach.”
In another live stream on October 3, Thompson allegedly made fresh threats against officers assigned to the case and his own court-appointed attorney.
“It is apparent from the videos that Thompson is suicidal and homicidal in his demeanor, and his aggression is directed towards everyone associated with the Epperson case because of his perceived “mishandling” of the investigation,” the complaint writes. “Thompson’s conduct has influenced, obstructed, impeded, or endeavored to influence, obstruct or impede the due administration of justice in the Epperson case.”
Thompson is currently held in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center.