The three men suspected of killing Salem residents Michael and Dorothy Walker have been arrested.

Ronald Hart, age 21, of Musella, Jeremy Saffold, age 29, of Byron, and Octavius Hart, age 32, of Roberta have been charged with two accounts of felony murder, two counts of malice murder, two counts of aggravated assault, armed robbery, arson first degree and theft by taking motor vehicle. They are being held in the Upson County Jail without bond.

Currently it is unclear as to what led authorities to believe these 3 men were indeed suspects. Capt. Hosley said it is likely the couple knew their killers.

The remains of what authorities believe to be the couple were found late Thursday in the fire debris.

The Salem Volunteer Fire Department was first to respond to the emergency call which came in around 5 a.m. Thursday regarding a trailer fire at 162 Parkview Road in Salem; a fire scene which evolved into a crime scene.

Captain William Hosley of the Upson County Sheriff’s Office said, “It was deemed a house fire until they saw blood around the yard. That made it suspicious.”

It was at that point the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate.

GBI Agent Rodney Wall out of Columbus and 2 members of the crime scene unit walked the yard back and forth marking each piece of evidence, which was strewn from the far back of the property all the way to the front just near the road.

A news release from the GBI stated there was evidence of an “armed confrontation” as well.

Concerned family members, friends, and neighbors flooded the street just outside the yellow tape anticipating any information they might be able to get.

Around 12:30 p.m. Salem firefighter and State Fire Marshall Brandon Ard began pulling back the charred and twisted sections of metal wall to search for bodies.

According to Crawford County Sheriff Lewis Walker, Michael Walker’s car was located Thursday evening in Crawford County.

The other 2 cars and the house were completely destroyed by the fire which seems to have been an attempt to cover up the murders.

Capt. Hosley said the motive is still under investigation.

State Fire Marshall Brandon Ard and State Patrolman Maurice Raines were also on scene during the investigation.

Anyone with information on the case can call the GBI’s Columbus office at 706-565-7888 or the Upson County Sheriff’s Department at 706-647-7411.