Authorities say they found marijuana-growing operations at three of the four locations where eight family members in rural southern Ohio were found fatally shot.

BREAKING UPDATE - 6:40 p.m. on April 25

A law enforcement source confirmed that investigators found roughly 200 marijuana plants growing inside one of the four crime scenes where eight people were killed Friday in Pike County. The Pike County Prosecutor said investigators also found two marijuana crops growing outdoors.

The source said the size of operation indicates it was being grown for sale, not for personal use.

A second law enforcement source said that investigators are looking at numerous avenues as a motive for the killings among them is whether there is a Mexican drug cartel connection, a possible drug turf war or a family feud.

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Original Story

The slayings of eight family members in rural southern Ohio was a "pre-planned execution," authorities said Sunday, telling residents they are safe but to arm themselves if they're fearful.

The Friday killings at four homes near Piketon was "a sophisticated operation," Attorney General Mike DeWine said at a news conference in the small community that has been on edge since seven adults and one teenage boy were found shot in the head.

Authorities remained tight-lipped Sunday about details of the investigation, any suspects or motives for the crime. They said they found marijuana operations at three of the crime scenes, but didn't say if the deaths were linked to pot.

At one of the homes, investigators found hundreds of marijuana plants, including two indoor grow operations and a third outside.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said that in his 20 years in law enforcement, he never interacted with the Rhoden family "in a criminal nature." He said it was clear the family was targeted, however, and he's told the victims' relatives to arm themselves.

Reader said he didn't believe safety was an issue for others, but he said "If you are fearful, arm yourself."

Authorities have been scrambling to determine who targeted the clan and why. Investigators have interviewed between 50 and 60 people in hopes of finding leads, and a team of 38 people is combing wooded areas around the shooting scenes to ensure no evidence was missed, authorities said.

DeWine said the state's crime lab was looking at 18 pieces of evidence from a DNA and ballistic standpoint, and five search warrants have been executed. Autopsies were expected to be completed Monday.

"This was very methodical. This was well planned. This was not something that just happened," said Reader, noting most victims were targeted while they were sleeping.

The victims were identified Saturday as 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr.; his 16-year-old son, Christopher Rhoden Jr.; 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; 38-year-old Gary Rhoden; 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; 20-year-old Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden; 20-year-old Hannah Gilley; and 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden.

Hanna Rhoden was in bed with her newborn baby nearby, authorities said. The infant was 4- or 5-days old. The newborn, Hannah Gilley's 6-month-old baby, and one other small child were not hurt.

Since the slayings, authorities have refused to discuss many details of the crime, a potential motive, weapons, or the search for the assailant or assailants.

"We don't know whether it was one or more people involved in this," DeWine said.

More than 100 tips have been given to investigators, who've set up a number for people to call as police seek information about the crimes. A Cincinnati-area businessman also put up a $25,000 reward for details leading to the capture and conviction of the killer or killers.