A University of Kentucky employee who posted an “offensive remark” about Charlie Kirk’s death returned to work after an investigation by the university.

According to UK spokesperson Jay Blanton, Brad Van Hook, who was UK’s key shop services manager, returned to work on Oct. 28, 2025, after a six-week internal review by the university. 

Van Hook has now been reassigned to the position of surplus operations manager, with his compensation remaining the same.

Van Hook commented on a WKYT Facebook post, paraphrasing a quote from Clarence Darrow, American lawyer and civil rights advocate, according to former Kentucky Kernel reporting.

“I have never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great satisfaction,” Van Hook wrote.

The comment was then posted on a X account, @libsoftiktok, which has 4.5 million followers, on Sept. 10, 2025.

According to former Kernel reporting, Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University at 31 years old and was an American right-wing political activist, as well as the former president and co-founder of Turning Point USA. 

At the start of the investigation, Blanton said the university referred the comment to “appropriate officials” and said it does not reflect the university.

“The statement attributed to him — no matter who made it and what their affiliation is — does not reflect who we are as a community,” Blanton said previously to the Kernel. “It is cruel. It is insensitive and it is wrong.” 

According to Blanton, the university has no further comment.