The three men who faced charges of murder, assault, armed robbery, arson, and theft by taking in the Salem double homicide had their first appearance before the Magistrate.

Ronald Hart, age 21, of Musella, Jeremy Saffold, age 29, of Byron, and Octavius Hart, age 32, of Roberta were issued 3 felony warrants for the murder of Dorothy Walker and an additional 3 felony warrants for the murder of Michael Walker.

The three charged are currently being held at the Upson County Jail without bond.

What started out as a house fire emergency call escalated to something much worse, a crime scene involving a double homicide.

Blood and bullet casings were strewn across the yard and human remains of Michael and Dorothy Walker were found in what was left of their home. The residence was completely destroyed by fire.

Law enforcement agencies all over Georgia played a part in the investigation.

According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Octavius Hart and Ronald LeNeal Hart were arrested in Roberta, and Saffold was arrested at a motel in Clayton County.

The Walkers’ vehicle was later located off Highway 341 in Crawford County.

The following assisted in the investigation: Upson County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, Salem Volunteer Fire Department, Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office, GBI, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Peach County Sheriff’s Department, Byron Police Department and Clayton County Police Department.

More updates will come as the trial is announced and proceedings take place.