1 Of 2 Salem Murder Victims Identified: Essex DA's Office

SALEM, MA — A 41-year-old Arizona man was identified as one of the two bodies found in the woods near the Salem Walmart last week.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Andrew Ross Guempel, whose last known address was Arizona, was one of the two men found dead on Wednesday afternoon. The Essex DA's Office said the identity of the other man was being withheld pending family notification.

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A 30-year-old man was charged with two counts of murder. Jay Blodget, 30, appeared in Salem District Court on Thursday, where prosecutors said the victims were beaten and stabbed.

Blodget was held without bail until a probable cause hearing set for May 28.

Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said the killings are believed to be "an isolated incident."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza)