COPLEY, Ohio — Officials on Monday officially identified the three men found dead in Summit County last week, and their alleged killer also made his first court appearance.
However, authorities now say a fourth victim was involved in the incident in some way, but survived.
Copley Police Chief Michael Mier confirms an additional "intended victim" had been in Copley at one point during the murders. Officials would not say if the man was injured or what his condition might be, and his name is not being released at this time.
Two bodies were found bound and gagged this past Friday off Cordova Avenue in Akron, and a short time later a third victim was also found near Wright Road in Copley. Police say all three had been shot in the head, and they have been identified as being from the Youngstown Area.
Fifty-eight-year-old Elias Gudino, of Akron, has been charged with aggravated murder and is currently being held without bond in the Summit County Jail. Detectives say they have still yet to establish a motive for the killings, although they believe the victims were kidnapped and brought to the area.
"We hope to have more information in the next few days," Mier said in a statement.