EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (CNN) – Three bodies have been discovered in East Cleveland, police say and a man is in custody in connection with the case. All three victims appear to be young black women, their decomposing bodies wrapped in plastic, according to police. So far authorities have been unable to identify any of the victims. Two bodies were found Saturday, one in the basement of an abandoned house, the other in a field nearby. The first victim was found Friday in a garage on the same block after police received a call about a foul odor. Police believe all three were killed in the last six to 10 days, CNN affiliate WOIO reported.
The first victim was found completely naked with indications of trauma, police say. The second victim was found wearing a green hoodie, and the third was wearing a leopard print leotard.
A car in the garage where the first victim was found led investigators to a suspect who was arrested after a standoff with police.
The suspect, identified as Michael Madison, was convicted of attempted rape in 2001 and is a registered sex-offender, police say.
Authorities searched the area again Saturday after Madison alluded to more bodies, police said, according to WOIO.
“We’re pretty confident through interviewing [Madison] that he has direct involvement, but we’re not certain if he had an accomplice or not,” Scott Gardner with the major crimes unit told CNN.
No charges have been filed and police are continuing to search the area.
East Cleveland is seven miles northeast of Cleveland, Ohio. The city, incorporated in 1911, occupies three square miles. According to 2010 census data, the city of almost 18,000 is predominately African-American and has the highest poverty rate in Cuyahoga County.
