By BURTON SPEAKMAN
CAVE CITY — Two men were arrested early today in connection with the deaths of three men whose bodies were found in a field Sunday afternoon just outside Cave City.
Miguel A. Velaquez, 20, of Cave City, was charged with three counts of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Marcos Bautista, 18, of Cave City, was charged with complicity to murder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of marijuana.
There were seasonal farm workers who had recently vacated a house adjacent to the field where the bodies were found. The workers were located and interviewed about the investigation at the Cave City Police Department, according to a Kentucky State Police report.
Information from that interview led to the charges against Velaquez and Bautista. One of the suspects was located in Cave City and the other was found in Allen County, according to the KSP report.
The bodies of three Hispanic males were found by two hunters in a field in the 9100 block of Happy Valley Road, said Trooper Charles Swiney from Kentucky State Police in Bowling Green. The only apparent entrance to the field was behind a gate. The field is located across the road from True Value Homes of Kentucky.
The bodies were located a significant distance from the road, Swiney said.
Foul play is expected and the case is being classified as a homicide investigation at this time, he said. The bodies are being sent for an autopsy.
The exact cause of death will not be determined until after the autopsy, Swiney said.
Barren County Sheriff Chris Eaton said his office received the original call around 3:30 p.m. Sunday and he called Kentucky State Police to investigate. Sheriff’s deputies secured the scene until KSP detectives arrived.
There is very little information about the crime that can be released at this time including how long it is estimated the bodies may have been in the field prior to being found or their gender or names, Swiney said. There is no estimate on how long it will take for the autopsies to be completed.
The case remains under investigation and KSP would not say if any more arrests are expected.
Velazquez and Bautista are being held without bond at the Barren County Correction Center.
