Bodies of missing Ohio trio found stuffed inside hollow tree

The bodies of a missing boy and two adult females have been found five days after 13-year-old Sarah Maynard, who also went missing along with them last mid-week, was found safe inside the basement of an Ohio home, where she had been held against her will.

Sarah’s kidnapper pointed way to the bodies
On Thursday, the authorities found the bodies of Sarah’s brother, mother and another woman, stuffed into garbage bags and hidden in a hollow tree.

Hoffman, who remained jailed on charges of kidnapping Sarah, is a 30-year-old unemployed tree-trimmer who owns climbing equipment.

The bodies of Stephanie Sprang, 41; Kody Maynard, 11; and his mother Tina Herrmann, 32, were found using information provided by lawyers for the sole suspect Matthew Hoffman, who currently is in jail on $1 million bail, according to ABC News.

"The discovery of these bodies was the result of information provided by Matthew Hoffman," said Knox County Sheriff David Barber told reporters in a press conference. "We were optimistic a few days ago that there was a remote chance these persons were still alive. This is a homicide investigation now."

Corpses were stuffed inside a hollow tree
Trash bags containing the corpses had been stuffed inside the hollow tree in the wildnerness area, about 12 miles from Herrmann's bloood-spattered home, Barber said.

"The tree was hollow to a point," the sheriff said, adding that part of the tree had to be cut away to remove the three bodies.

Hoffman, who remained jailed on charges of kidnapping Sarah, is a 30-year-old unemployed tree-trimmer who owns climbing equipment.

He is the only suspect in the killings, Barber said.

According to ABC News, Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher said Hoffman would likely face additional charges within the next few weeks, but could not specify what they would be.

"I can't speculate on what those charges might be without knowing what the evidence is," said Thatcher.

Officials devastated with discovery
Barber and Thatcher both were saddened and devastated with the tragedy which they labeled as the worst in their career.

"We're saddened by it," Barber said. "As the sheriff of this county for the last 18 years, I have never experienced a case this big, this serious and this tragic. And in my entire law enforcement career, I have never experienced something like this."

"The tragedy today is just devastating," said Thatcher. "This is probably the saddest day in Knox County history. The results aren't what we wanted them to be."

But the officials appear hopeful for the lone survivor, Sarah.

"We're inspired by Sarah. We're inspired by Sarah's bravery," he said, adding he asked family to tell Sarah "she is my hero."

Hoffman, who is charged with kidnapping, is scheduled for to appear in court again Tuesday.