Anthony Conchel

Editor

BUCYRUS – A suspect in the Bucyrus homicides case is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Late Wednesday, Sheriff Scott Kent issued a news release that said: "Updated news release Crawford County Prosecutors Office ... A person of interest in the cases of the four deaths in Bucyrus Ohio discovered September 1st and September 2nd, 2014 is currently in custody at the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. Donald W. Hoffman, age 41, Bucyrus, was booked in September 2nd, 2014 and is being held for a probation violation. A preliminary hearing will be held on September 4th, 2014 at 0900hrs."

Crawford County Municipal Court Judge Sean Leuthold said he has not signed off on any official charges, however, Crawford County Jail records indicate Hoffman is being held on "suspicion of murder," Leuthold said.

Leuthold said charges likely will be filed in the morning.

Police and the Crawford County Coroner have released the names of the four victims in this week's homicides.

The victims are Bill Jack Chatman, 55, 1308 Fremont St.; Freelin Hensley, 68, Marion Road; and Darrell E. Lewis, 65, Bucyrus Plaza, and Jerry Smith, 65, 218 W. Mansfield St..

"The investigation is ongoing. The bodies have been transported to Lucas County Coroners office for autopsy," Bucyrus police Chief David Koepke said in a news release.

Preliminary autopsy reports should be available Thursday morning. An arraignment of the suspect is set for 9 a.m. Thursday in Crawford County Municipal Court.

"The manner of death is considered homicide in all four cases, but the exact cause of the deaths is pending the autopsy reports," Koepke said.

Police, Crawford County Sheriff's deputies and state Bureau of Criminal Investigation personnel combed all four crime scenes, two on Monday evening and two on Tuesday.

Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall said his office will file charges once the investigation is complete.

"We'll do that as soon as possible," Crall said. "We're going to do our due diligence to make sure we investigate properly before any decisions are made."

Smith's niece, Valerie Smith Malone, will miss her uncle, Jerry Smith.

"He was a good man; very loving, quiet," Malone said.

"I'm his favorite niece and he was my favorite uncle. He spoiled me growing up," Malone said this morning.

There will be a community prayer gathering at Bucyrus City Hall on Thursday, at 1 p.m. to pray for victims' families and the city.

Check back for updates.

aconchel@gannett.com

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Twitter: @anthonyconchel