By
The Associated Press
AVA, Ohio - The bodies of seven family members were found early yesterday in their burned-out trailer, and the sheriff labeled the deaths suspicious.
"Some of them, I feel, were shot," Noble County Sheriff Landon T. Smith said at a news conference yesterday afternoon. "Because of where we found the bodies, they didn't appear to die of smoke inhalation."
The bodies of Richard Pangle, 37, his wife, Sheryl, 29, and their five children were found after a report of a fire about 3 a.m. Smith said the fire was set, but he would not say how.
Smith said the location of the bodies "is very suspicious in nature."
A handgun and three shotguns were found near the bodies of the parents in the living room along with spent cartridges, Smith said.
Smith said there had been no reports of any domestic violence at the house, but the couple were discussing a divorce.
Neighbor Cheryl Morgareidge said she had seen the father, known as Richie, Friday night at the Shenandoah High School football game. Morgareidge's sister-in-law, Nancy Johnson, said the fire truck's sirens startled her.
"I heard the sirens go off about 3 (a.m.) and I couldn't figure out why they would be going off. We don't hear those very much around here," Johnson said.
The fire destroyed the trailer, which is about 20 yards from the end of a dirt road a mile north of Ava in eastern Ohio. Sheryl Pangle's brother and mother live nearby on the site, which is owned by the family.
Family and friends gathered near the trailer. Some were hugging and crying.
Hannum said investigators were having a difficult time emotionally.
"These folks are known by many of the people who live in Noble County," he said.
The dead children were identified as Kayla, 12, Brett, 10, Derek, 7, and twins Trina and Trinda, 5.
Autopsies were planned.
