In brief: Police search area where Virginia body was found

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – After finding remains that could be University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, authorities interviewed nearby residents and picked through leaves on the side of a sparsely populated highway, searching for any clues or evidence.

Forensic tests were needed to confirm whether the remains match the 18-year-old Graham. They were discovered by a deputy Saturday in a heavily wooded area of Albemarle County that is home to horse farms about 12 miles from campus. Graham disappeared Sept. 13 after a night out with friends.

Her parents were notified that the remains were found, Charlottesville police Chief Timothy Longo said. It wasn’t immediately clear Sunday how long it would take for them to be identified. Investigators also wouldn’t say if they had found anything else.

Police detain man in deaths of 4 women

HAMMOND, Ind. – An Indiana man confessed to killing a woman whose body was found in a Motel 6 and told police where the bodies of three more women could be found, police said Sunday.

Gary police found the bodies of three women at different locations in Gary late Saturday and early Sunday, following up on information the 43-year-old man provided during questioning, Hammond police Lt. Rich Hoyda said.

The Lake County coroner’s office on Sunday identified the victim found in Hammond as 19-year-old Afrika Hardy and ruled she had been strangled.

The coroner’s office said a second victim had been identified by family members as 35-year-old Anith Jones, of Merrillville. Autopsies had not yet been completed on her or the other two women, who have not yet been identified. The Post-Tribune of Merrillville reported Jones had been missing since Oct. 8 and Gary police had searched a block recently looking for her.

Police discovered Hardy’s body about 9:30 p.m. Friday at a Motel 6.

Police investigating her death obtained a search warrant for a home and vehicle in Gary. Police conducted the search late Saturday afternoon and took the man into custody. Hoyda said the man confessed during questioning and then told police “where several other female victims of possible homicide were located.”