​Authorities have identified one of the two men found dead in a wooded area near a Walmart in Salem, Massachusetts, as 41-year-old Andrew Ross Guempel, whose last known address was in Arizona. The discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon when a man walking his dog came across what appeared to be a human body. Upon arrival, police found two deceased males, both exhibiting signs of blunt-force trauma and stab wounds. The bodies had been concealed under various items and dirt. ​

​Authorities have identified one of the two men found dead in a wooded area near a Walmart in Salem, Massachusetts, as 41-year-old Andrew Ross Guempel, whose last known address was in Arizona. The discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon when a man walking his dog came across what appeared to be a human body. Upon arrival, police found two deceased males, both exhibiting signs of blunt-force trauma and stab wounds. The bodies had been concealed under various items and dirt. ​

Following the discovery, 30-year-old Jay Blodget was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. Blodget, who is reportedly experiencing homelessness, had been living in the woods behind the Walmart where the bodies were found. He was arraigned in Salem District Court on Thursday, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Prosecutors stated that Blodget made statements implicating himself in the killings. ​

Prior to the murders, Blodget had been arrested on April 18 for allegedly breaking into a storage container with a hacksaw in the same wooded area. He was released later that day. The investigation into the murders is ongoing, with a probable cause hearing scheduled for May 28. ​

The identity of the second victim has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Massachusetts State Police or Salem Police Department.