Avilla homicide victims identified, suspect arrested

The identities of two people who were found dead in a home in Avilla, Missouri, Sunday night have been released.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office says that 34-year-old Mason McClure, of Avilla, and 34-year-old Nicole Hodges, of Joplin, were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in McClure’s home in Avilla.

24-year-old Kevin Johnson of Reeds, Missouri, has been arrested on alleged homicide charges in that case.

Authorities say this incident appears to be connected to the death of 25-year-old Brylee O’Banion, who was found in a ditch southwest of Loma Linda Saturday afternoon.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation as it appears that Johnson and O’Banion were in a relationship.

Johnson told investigators that he killed the two after they told him they killed his girlfriend.