Rogell E. Gene John II, 71, and his wife Roberta R. John were found dead in their Mount Pleasant Street NW home in North Canton after returning from a vacation. Their son discovered the bodies and notified authorities. Stark County Sheriff George Maier said there was no forced entry, which suggested the suspect knew the victims.

Investigators arrested George C. Brinkman Jr., described as a longtime employee and family friend who had been house-sitting for the Johns while they were away. Brinkman was linked by investigators to the Johns’ deaths and to a separate triple homicide in North Royalton; he was taken into custody after a standoff and charged in the Johns’ killings.

The murders stunned the local community. If anyone knew the Johns, Brinkman’s relationship with them, or saw anything unusual around the Mount Pleasant Street home before or after the couple’s return, please come forward with information.