Victims ID'd in grisly Peabody, Mass. basement crime scene

PEABODY, Mass. -- Authorities in Massachusetts have identified two people found slain over the weekend in the basement of a suburban Boston home.

The Essex County District Attorney’s office on Monday identified the victims as Mark Greenlaw, 37, and Jennifer O’Connor, 39. Authorities said they were dating and thought to have been living together at the Peabody home where they were found dead, reports CBS Boston.

Police first discovered the gruesome scene Saturday night, when a woman ran from the house and flagged down a car. The woman then told Massachusetts State Police that a crime had occurred at the house.

Sources told CBS Boston the couple were found shot to death, their bodies wrapped in rugs and plastic. Sources also told the station there were body parts at the murder seen, but investigators would say only they were awaiting autopsy results.

Essex District Attorney Jon Blodgett told reporters on Sunday that X-ray equipment and K-9 units were being brought to the scene.

“The crime scene is very difficult right now, it’s quite messy,” said Blodgett. “We’re doing our best to sift through this. It takes time. The medical examiner’s office is on the way, and we’re using all those resources to ascertain exactly what happened at this property.”

Monday morning, police said they were searching for two suspects who were possibly driving a gray 1992 Acura that was stolen in Middleton. Police said they may be armed.

UPDATE: One suspect was arrested Monday — read more.

Peabody police didn’t release more information about the suspects, but said they knew the victims and the killings were not a random act. Police had been called to the home several times in the past, they said.