Ross County sheriff reveals they have a suspect in Londonderry murders

LONDONDERRY – The Ross County Sheriff’s Office reports they have identified a potential suspect in the triple murders at two homes in the Londonderry area just over three weeks ago.

Officials have not named the suspect since charges have not been filed, but the person is “currently incarcerated in Ohio on an unrelated matter,” according to the sheriff's office and Ross County Prosecutor Jeff Marks.

“We’re just getting all our ducks in a row now,” Marks said.

Since the suspect is being held on community control violations from a prior conviction, Marks said investigators can continue working on the case and await forensic results from the crime lab before presenting the case to a grand jury.

The update is the first from officials since the week of Feb. 4, the day when 46-year-old Leann M. Potts and 63-year-old Thomas S. Littler were found shot to death in their home on Bowman Lane and 50-year-old Rick Adams, Leann Potts’ brother, and a woman, were found critically injured at Adams’ Vigo Road home. Adams died from his injuries at a Columbus hospital while the woman remains hospitalized with injuries from the attack. The sheriff's office has declined to confirm the woman's identity.

Any possible motives for the attacks have not been released.

More:Handgun, knife used in pair of attacks in Londonderry Monday

“When the case began, BCI was absolutely great in helping us out. Obviously, with two crime scenes, there was an extremely large amount of evidence to collect,” Marks said.

The sheriff’s office has since conducted search warrants in the “double digits,” according to the release, and they continue to submit evidence, described by the sheriff's office as "voluminous," to the crime lab in batches and conduct interviews. The Ohio Attorney General's Office also continues to assist in the investigation.

"Investigators will continue to move forward with this investigation in an effort to ensure justice for the victims and their families," the release reads.

Since the suspect is in jail on a different case, Marks said it gives them a chance to get some forensic evidence in hand before filing charges and starting the speedy trial clock. However, they don’t intend to “stretch it out,” he said. 

“I understand people’s concerns, but we’re trying our best to make sure we’re doing the best for the families,” Marks added.