Mt. Washington man faces murder-domestic violence charge after woman’s death; police cite possible ax involvement

What investigators say happened

A 67-year-old Mt. Washington, Kentucky, man has been charged in connection with the killing of a woman in Bullitt County after police said an ax may have been used in the homicide.

Jail booking records show Richard Chesher was taken into custody early Saturday, March 7, 2026, and booked into the Bullitt County Detention Center at about 3:45 a.m. He was charged with murder (domestic violence), tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.

Mt. Washington police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. Authorities have not released the woman’s identity, the location where she was found, or the circumstances leading to the arrest. As of Sunday, March 8, 2026, the arrest citation had not been publicly available.

The charges, in context

The filing of a murder (domestic violence) count indicates investigators believe the alleged killing occurred within a domestic-violence relationship framework recognized under Kentucky law. The additional charges can be significant in how a homicide case proceeds: prosecutors sometimes add counts tied to alleged post-death conduct, evidence handling, or attempts to conceal what occurred.

• Tampering with physical evidence generally refers to allegations that a suspect altered, concealed, destroyed, or otherwise affected evidence with the intent to impair its availability in an investigation or official proceeding.

• Abuse of a corpse is a separate allegation that typically focuses on how a body was treated after death, rather than the cause of death itself.

What remains unknown

Investigators have not disclosed whether the alleged weapon has been recovered, what forensic findings support the statement that an ax “appears” to have been used, or whether there were witnesses. Police also have not said when the woman was killed, how the death was discovered, or whether the suspect and victim lived at the same address.

Because authorities have released limited information, it is also not clear what evidence underpins the domestic-violence designation, whether there were prior calls for service, or whether investigators are evaluating additional charges.

Next steps in the court process

In Kentucky felony cases, an arrest is typically followed by initial court appearances addressing counsel, bond, and scheduling. As the case moves forward, prosecutors may present evidence to a grand jury for indictment, and defense attorneys may challenge the basis for detention and the admissibility of evidence.

Chesher is charged, not convicted. The allegations will be tested in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Louisville.news will continue to report as additional verified details are released, including the victim’s identity, the investigative timeline, and upcoming court dates.