Tragic story of 'world's most arrested man' who was handcuffed more than 1,300 times

The man described as “the most arrested person in the world” has died at the age of 74.

Henry Earl, originally from Lexington, Kentucky, USA, was arrested more than 1,300 times during his life, becoming a local and internet celebrity thanks to his lengthy criminal record.

Many of Henry's arrests were alcohol-related, with him frequently being arrested and spending a few days in jail before being released.

Henry began drinking at the age of 18, following the death of his adoptive mother.

He said his last job was in 1969 as a waiter and dishwasher at the Smith Motel – and he was homeless for most of his life.

His heavy criminal record even led him to be approached by Jimmy Kimmel live in 2004, however, he was unable to attend the show because he was in prison.

In 1992, the Community Corrections Division of Lexington Fayette Urban County government introduced a computerized booking system, which recorded that he had been arrested nearly 1,300 times.

However, his entire arrest record dates back much further than his first arrest in 1970 for carrying a concealed weapon.

During the many years Henry was homeless, he was supported by people at the Catholic Action Center in Lexington.

Among them, Ginny Ramsey, the founder of the center, who paid tribute to him.

She said: “He was a character, he had a wonderful sense of humour.”

Henry was part of the Catholic Action Center's housing program, but he sometimes had difficulty complying with the center's curfew.

Ramsey said: “We would say now, Henry Earl, you have to be there by 9:30 or 10 o'clock. On weekends you can stay out until 11 o'clock. Well, he tried, but he wasn't not quite ready.”

She added: “When we didn't see Henry Earl for a while, everyone was worried, we thought he was going to die in the street. He didn't die in the street.”

In 2017, Henry was admitted to Owenton Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Some of the people who cared for him at the facility attended his funeral at Owenton Cemetery.

Among them were Charlotte Woods and Kirsten Dempsey.

Dempsey told LEX18: “He was a very nice man, he was always having a good time, he was always trying to make people laugh.”

Woods added: “You might ask him 'what's your name?' and he would say James Brown.”

The Catholic Action Center said it will add Henry to its plans at a Memorial Day meal in which it will honor fallen homeless people.

Unfortunately, no one was able to find any family for Henry after his death.

Ramsey said: “You can't meet Henry Earl without loving him. Henry Earl, he will never be forgotten.”

If you live in the United States and have been affected by any of these issues, call 211 for help finding options to pay your rent, mortgage, or utility bills and stay in your home, available 24/7, or use the search tool on this page to find more resources near you.

Featured Image Credit: LFUCG Community Corrections

Topics: News, American News, Crime, Alcohol