The US town of Okmulgee, in the state of Oklahoma, opened a murder investigation on Monday after four decomposed bodies were found in a river.
On the night of last October 9, four people went missing from home on a bicycle.
After a search operation was launched, the four bodies were found decomposed in a river in Okmulgee last Friday.
According to local police chief Joe Prentice, an autopsy confirmed that they were the missing: Marc and Billie Chastain, 32 and 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29.
The medical examiner also identified traces of bullet wounds.
However, investigators found traces of “an episode of massive violence” at a landfill in the city and suspect the owner of a neighboring plot of land.
The man, who is not considered a suspect at this time, went missing Friday, Joe Prentice said at a press conference.
According to the Inspector General of Police, the four victims were instigating “a criminal act” at the time of their disappearance.
“A witness said he was invited to join the group,” he added.
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