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Deputies investigating Alexander Co. triple homicide believe there are more deaths

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies investigating a triple murder in Alexander County think there are more deaths in the case.

[ALSO READ: Couple indicted on charges related to slayings of woman, 2 children in Alexander County]

It has been a month since the bodies of two children, 11-year-old Angel E. Pacheco and his 12-year-old sister America D. Pacheco, were found in a burned out mobile home.

Investigators believe their mother 38-year-old Maria Calderon Martinez was also killed at the home and said her body may have been dumped in the Catawba River. Now, they believe two other men are also dead.

[ALSO READ: Deputies still searching for slain mother, need help finding 2 acquaintances]

Sheriff Chris Bowman said Martinez and her boyfriend Juan Mendez-Pena have not been seen or heard from since the night of the murders.

He also said no one has seen or heard from Pena's friend Luis Sanchez either, who often stayed at the home.

"It's a high probability that they are deceased," Bowman said. "At least every other day, both would report to their family in Mexico."

Since the night of the murders and arson, there have been no calls, text messages, money sent to family members, or sightings of their 2009 Chevy Silverado four-door pickup truck.

Martinez's ex-husband Areli Aguirre Avilez, along with his girlfriend 16-year-old Heidi Wolfe, have been charged with the murders.

[ALSO READ: Sheriff: Man charged in slayings of woman, 2 children living in country illegally]

According to court documents, Wolfe admitted to going to the house with Avilez the night of the murders, telling authorities she ran over one of the victims with her car when they ran off.

Court documents revealed investigators found blood evidence in several locations of the home, but did not find victims in that area.

Neighbors said each new development in the case has left them with more questions than answers.

"They were here all the time," neighbor Cynthia Ledford said. "Now, they're not and haven't contacted their families. We figured they were dead."

Both of the suspects have also been charged with first degree arson. The sheriff said he is encouraging people from the Hispanic community who may have information on the case to come forward.

Cox Media Group

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