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CINCINNATI, April 26 (UPI) -- The Ohio Attorney General's Office said a member of the Ohio family killed execution style was the target of a Facebook threat. The threat called out 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden Jr., who was one of eight members of a family found killed Friday at four locations, including three homes in Pike County, which is about 70 miles from Cincinnati. The other seven victims were adults, and three children were found unharmed.
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"I'm aware of the Facebook threat," Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine told CBS News on Monday. "Every piece of information is valuable and our investigators are certainly taking that into consideration."
Investigators are pursuing the Facebook threat along with other leads.
"An analysis of social media accounts is essential to any murder investigation," Dan Tierney, a spokesman for the attorney general, said.
Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said it was clear the family was targeted and that he has warned the surviving members of the Rhoden family to take precautions and arm themselves.
DeWine told The Cincinnati Enquirer that single roosters kept in individual cages on one property "is consistent with" cockfighting." But, he added, "We don't know what's relevant."
DeWine also said at the news conference authorities don't know how many suspects were involved but said the killings were a "sophisticated operation." He added, "Those that carried it out were trying to do everything they could do to hinder their investigation and prosecution."
In other developments in the case, the investigators said:
-- All eight autopsies have been completed.
-- Search warrants have not been filed with the court.
-- Roadblocks leading to the crime scene will remain in place indefinitely.
-- A memorial fund was been set up to benefit the family at Fifth Third Bank. Donations may be made any any of the bank branches.
The attorney general also said a "commercial" marijuana grow operation was found at three of the four crime scenes.
