Bodies found in tree hollow in US

WASHINGTON - The bodies of three people who disappeared last week were found in a tree hollow in the US state of Ohio, days after the teenage daughter of one of the victims was rescued, a media report said Friday.

The remains of Tina Herrmann, 32, her 10-year-old son, Kody Maynard, and her 41-year-old friend Stephanie Sprang were found in trash bags placed in the hollow of a tree, CNN quoted Knox County Sheriff David Barber as saying.

Herrmann’s 13-year-old daughter Sarah Maynard was found alive Sunday morning in Mount Vernon, about 80 km northeast of Columbus, the capital of Ohio.

Matthew Hoffman, 30, who allegedly kidnapped Sarah, provided the information that led to the discovery of the three bodies, Barber said. Hoffman has experience as a tree trimmer, the sheriff said.

The bodies were found about 32 km from the Herrmann’s home, the report said.

The disappearance of the three residents Nov 10 prompted a weeklong search throughout the region. But, in the end, the crucial information came down to Hoffman, Barber said.