A combined memorial service will be held Tuesday in Bismarck for the owner and three employees of a Mandan business who were found slain this week.
The service for Robert Fakler, William and Lois Cobb and Adam Fuehrer will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bismarck Community Church, 1617 Michigan Ave.
Fakler was co-owner of RJR Maintenance and Management and the Cobbs and Fuehrer were employees of the southeast Mandan business.
Funeral director Bob Eastgate said the families decided to have a combined service because their loved ones were not only co-workers, but friends.
“They were very, very good friends as well,” said Eastgate, owner of Eastgate Funeral and Cremation Service. “They were all that close.”
The memorial service is open to the public.
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Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler said in a statement Wednesday evening that detectives and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation have been following up on leads and tips.
“We are conducting interviews of potential witnesses and employees and reviewing video surveillance in the area, which we hope to be able to release to the public soon,” Ziegler said.
The bodies were discovered Monday morning at RJR Maintenance and Management after paramedics responded to a 911 call for a medical assist to the business. Police describe the deaths as a multiple homicide, but have not said how the victims died.
State and local police searched in a field Wednesday afternoon about half a mile from the business, though they did not immediately say whether the search was related to the case. Half a dozen vehicles, including a state Bureau of Criminal Investigation truck, were at the scene, parked near a snowbank in the field.
On Tuesday, Ziegler said investigators did not have a suspect. He did not provide new information about a potential suspect in his statement on Wednesday. Ziegler reiterated that officers do not believe the public is in danger.
“While we strongly believe that this is a targeted, isolated incident, the public should always keep their safety in mind,” Ziegler said.
Mandan police have opened up a tip line that will be answered 24 hours a day for citizens or witnesses who have information related to the case. The number is 701-667-3220 and callers can remain anonymous.
Tips can also be reported anonymously through the Bismarck Police Department’s tip411. Tips can be submitted by downloading the app, visiting www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21828 or by texting RJR to 847411.
RJR opened Wednesday morning after being closed Monday and Tuesday as police investigated the scene. Mandan police maintained a presence at RJR on Wednesday, with two squad cars outside and another nearby.
The company posted on Facebook that donations, such as cash, food and paper products, will be shared between the Cobb and Fuehrer families. Capital Credit Union has established two accounts for donations to the families.
Midway Lanes, which neighbors RJR in Mandan, has set aside a room this week for gifts and donations to the property management company. Several assorted bouquets and cards have already been donated.
“We would also like to extend our complete gratitude to our beautiful community at this time,” RJR posted on Facebook Tuesday. “We cannot thank you all enough for the generosity and support.”
-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(Reach Amy Dalrymple at 701-250-8267 or Amy.Dalrymple@bismarcktribune.com)