Ohio

BUCYRUS – Police say four deaths discovered in Bucyrus -- two Monday, two Tuesday -- are connected.

Police are interviewing "a person of interest believed to be involved in the suspicious deaths."

"Based on the information provided, two additional deceased individuals were discovered this morning," police Chief David Koepke said Tuesday afternoon.

Capt. Joe Greathouse confirmed police believe the four deaths are related.

Koepke said blunt force trauma was used on all four victims.

"That leads us to believe foul play was the cause of the deaths," he said.

At a makeshift news conference outside Bucyrus City Hall Tuesday evening, Koepke said he is releasing as much information as he can.

The Crawford County Coroner, Bucyrus Police and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, are working together to evaluate the circumstances of the suspicious deaths.

One of the victims, a male, was found by police Tuesday at 218 W. Mansfield St. Greathouse confirmed that it was linked to the other deaths.

"We're sharing as much information as we can," Koepke said.

A link among victims or a motive have not been established.

"As we start to retrace the steps of the victims we may have other leads to pursue," he said.

Koepke said it was possible that the victims knew one another. "Bucyrus being a small town there is no doubt there could be some familiarity, but going any further would be guessing on our part," he said.

Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent and Koepke received numerous calls from residents.

"We just want to reassure the public we're doing everything we can," Koepke said.

A suspect has been questioned by authorities but not charged. Koepke said formal charges could be filed "later this week."

Greathouse said in his 20 years on the force, this is a unique situation.

"In a short period of time to find four (deaths) suspicious in nature, that's the most since I've been here," he said.

The fourth apparent victim was found in the Marion Street apartment street complex where a different 67-year-old man was found dead Monday afternoon.

Neighbors expressed shock.

"I can't believe these deaths," said a man in a blue pickup on West Mansfield Street.

The beaten body of Billy Jack Chatman, 55, was found Monday. Another body, that of a 67-year-old man at Bucyrus Manor, was found Monday in the apartment complex behind McDonald's at 1656 Marion Road.

The two calls came in 28 minutes apart on Labor Day.

Initially, Koepke said he did not think the discovery of the two bodies was related.

"I think myself and the community, we are in shock by this. We are going about our business, the best we can," Koepke said.

Koepke credited sherif's deputies and BCI technicians with "doing a fantastic job, a professional job" during the investigation.

"It's overwhelming for our department and our city," Koepke said.

Crawford County Victim Assistance Program Director Jim Scott said it is difficult for family members to process losing a loved one in this manner.

"Obviously, we're trying to work with the victims' families emotionally., Yesterday you see your loved ones and today they're gone," Scott said.

Some are still being contacted, Scott said.

Kent said the biggest challenge is coordinating four crime scenes and securing the perimeters of each one.

aconchel@gannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @anthonyconchel