This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Police responding to a medical call at a North Dakota business on Monday have found four bodies, the authorities said.

The police department in Mandan, a small city of about 22,000 just across the Missouri River from the state capital Bismarck, said on Monday evening they have not yet identified the deceased but the victims were three males and one female. Authorities are not saying how they were killed.

The company, RJR Maintenance and Management, is in a business district about 100 yards back from a busy main road in Mandan known as the Strip.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it was helping with the investigation but did not offer any details.

The Morton county sheriff, Kyle Kirchmeier, confirmed that RJR Maintenance and Management is the property management company where police and sheriff’s vehicles were clustered. The Bismarck Tribune reported that the business released a statement at 9.30am saying it was closed on Monday.

No one answered the phone at the business, which is somewhat isolated despite its location in a business district near a busy main road known as The Strip. A large empty lot sits in the front, a golf course in back and a soccer complex to one side.

Gina Kessel, 52, of Mandan, showed up at the business on Monday to pick up her son, Mitchell Kessel, an employee there. She said Mitchell “called me, said something is going on”. She said he didn’t tell her what.

The pair hugged, both crying. Her son did not speak before going back behind a police line.

Judy Praus, 70, came to RJR seeking information, saying she was a longtime friend of the owner and his family. She said she had no details on what happened.

“When I was notified, I shattered,” she said. “Unbelievable.”

Darin Helbling, a manager at a nearby bowling alley, said police asked to see his business’ surveillance video. Helbling said the video showed only a couple of vehicles on the road that separates the businesses since 10pm on Sunday.

RJR’s website identified it as a family-owned company that has been handling commercial and residential properties in Bismarck and Mandan for more than 20 years. Its services include collecting rent for landlords, paying mortgages, re-renting apartments, building and grounds maintenance, lawn care and snow removal. It also rents out storage units.

A “Meet Our Team” feature on the website pictured 22 employees.

Natasha Towne said her brother, Adam Fuehrer, has worked at the business for about eight years. She said she did not know his status and was frustrated at the lack of news. She declined to talk further.