Posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 11:55 am

Update April 12: State Police at Honesdale are continuing their investigation into the incident that occurred at 61 Leonard Rd in Mount Pleasant Twp. on 04/10/17. An autopsy was conducted this morning on the body remains discovered in the home as well as the burn barrel outside the residence. During the autopsy, DNA samples were collected for comparison to try and determine the identity of the victim or victims and there is no information on the cause or manner of death at this time. During the search of the property, over 270 marijuana plants were seized from the barn, 7 plants from within the residence and approximately 50 pounds of processed marijuana between the two structures combined. The marijuana manufacturing operation was dismantled and seized as evidence by the State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team and the Troop R Vice-Narcotics Unit. Investigators are continuing their investigation and Joseph Mastropole is still listed as a missing person at this time. State Police at Honesdale ask that anyone with information relating to his whereabouts, contact them at 570-253-7126.

MOUNT PLEASANT, PA — A phone call to Pennsylvania State Police from a woman saying she hadn’t heard from her boyfriend in a while led the police to his property where they came upon what appeared to be a murder and later may have led to a suicide.

Police went to Joseph Mastropole's home in Mount Pleasant Township on April 10 to look for him and found a man there who claimed to be Mastropoles’ roommate. The man gave police a false name, but it was later learned that his name was Gaston Gomez. While looking for Mastropole, who was 54, they discovered a pole barn that contained a large marijuana growing operation and a burn barrel that was smoldering.

They obtained a search warrant and heard a shot fired from inside the house when they returned. They later found that Gomez had shot and killed himself. Police also found other human remains in the house, and they found human remains in the burn barrel.

At a press conference District Attorney Janine Edwards said of the burn barrel, “It's smoldering and they kick it over with what is clear that bones come out. The wildlife and game commission has said this is not animal bones. Then inside the house, they see some things in the area and they find a freezer and inside the freezer are Hefty bags and inside the bags are body parts."

An adult male was pronounced deceased on Monday night by Coroner Edward Howell. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 11, 2017 additional remains discovered elsewhere at the residence were determined to be human, and not the remains of the first individual pronounced deceased.

Police are continuing to investigate, and trying to identify the victims.