Marijuana "Grow Operations" Found at Sites Where Ohio Family Was Murdered

Authorities say marijuana “grow operations” were found at three of the four crime scenes where eight members of a rural Ohio family were murdered in “preplanned executions” this week, the Chillicothe Gazette reports.

At a press conference on Sunday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine released few new details about the investigation, explaining that the murder of Pike County’s Rhoden family was a “very, very different kind of case.” From Fox News:

The deceased were found on four rural Ohio properties, shot to death. Most were apparently sleeping when they were killed. Three young children—including a 4-day-old infant—were also found unharmed at the crime scenes.

“This was a preplanned execution of eight individuals,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “It was a sophisticated operation. And those who carried it out were trying to do everything they could do to hinder the investigation and their prosecution.

Officials would not speculate on a possible motive for the slayings, but said that they have warned surviving members of the Rhoden family they may also be in danger.

“I’ve spoken with family, it’s evident they were the target,” said Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader. “I told them to be armed.”