McCracken District Judge Hollowell passes away at 52

McCracken County District Judge Chris Hollowell passed away Wednesday at the age of 52 after an illness.

Hollowell had recently been replaced on the bench by an order from the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court Laurence VanMeter. The order stated that Hollowell was "unable to perform the duties of his office."  

Judge Hunter Whitesell was initially appointed to handle the docket but retired Judge Tim Kaltenbach told West Kentucky Star that he has been assigned to the post as of September 18th and is scheduled to serve until October 31st. Kaltenbach did not run for reelection to the Circuit bench in 2022. 

Hollowell was an assistant Commonwealth Attorney during Kaltenbach's time in that office.

Hollowell presided over the 2nd Judicial District, Division 2 that serves McCracken County. He was first elected to the bench in 2006.