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Triple murder charge in missing family case
YAZOO CITY, Mississippi (CNN) --A man investigators believe may have been jealous over an inheritance was charged Monday with killing his cousin, the cousin's wife and their 4-year-old son.
Earnest Lee Hargon was charged with three counts of capital murder in Yazoo County Court and was ordered held without bond.
The victims -- Michael Hargon, his wife, Rebecca, and the couple's 4-year-old son, James Patrick -- disappeared from their Yazoo County home on February 14.
Hargon spent Monday with investigators helping them search the victims' bodies, sources close to the investigation told CNN.
The search area was focused just south of the area where investigators had been searching all weekend, the sources said.
Hargon's hearing had initially been set for Monday morning, but was delayed after investigators made what Strain called a "profound" breakthrough that involves "the location of the missing family."
While refusing to give details about the breakthrough, Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said it would make the case against Hargon stronger.
"Our case was rock solid to begin with," Strain said.
The breakthrough came "through the interview process" and is related "not only with the prosecution of Mr. Hargon, but also the location of the missing family," Strain said.
Investigators who had been in Yazoo City Monday morning for the planned hearing flew to Smith County -- Earnest Lee Hargon's home -- to focus on the recent development, Strain said.
Hargon was arrested over the weekend on unrelated drug and gun charges involving a small amount of methamphetamines and an illegally altered AR-15 rifle, Strain said.
Strain told CNN earlier that an inheritance dispute between Michael and Earnest "goes to motive."
An uncle died, leaving land to Michael Hargon and none to Earnest Lee Hargon, Strain had said.
As part of the probe, authorities went to Earnest Hargon's house near Taylorsville, which also is the location of a veterinary clinic owned by his wife, Lisa, Strain said. She is listed in the phone book as Lisa Ainsworth, a veterinarian.
The search for the Hargon family was focused Saturday and Sunday on a 160-acre site in Smith County, about 100 miles south of their home.
The land, partly covered with woods and marshland, and with a river running through it, is partly owned by Earnest Hargon.
Michael Hargon's family was reported missing after a friend saw the door open at their home in Vaughan, Mississippi, about 35 miles north of Jackson. Investigators said there was blood at the scene but no sign of forced entry. Relatives said nothing appeared to be missing.
Investigators have been searching for a white van, which several people said they saw racing from the neighborhood where the family lives on the day they disappeared.
Michael Hargon is a construction worker, and his wife is a physical therapist, family members said.
CNN Producer Mike Ahlers contributed to this report.
Family Photo
YAZOO CITY, Mississippi (CNN) --A man investigators believe may have been jealous over an inheritance was charged Monday with killing his cousin, the cousin's wife and their 4-year-old son.
Earnest Lee Hargon was charged with three counts of capital murder in Yazoo County Court and was ordered held without bond.
The victims -- Michael Hargon, his wife, Rebecca, and the couple's 4-year-old son, James Patrick -- disappeared from their Yazoo County home on February 14.
Hargon spent Monday with investigators helping them search the victims' bodies, sources close to the investigation told CNN.
The search area was focused just south of the area where investigators had been searching all weekend, the sources said.
Hargon's hearing had initially been set for Monday morning, but was delayed after investigators made what Strain called a "profound" breakthrough that involves "the location of the missing family."
While refusing to give details about the breakthrough, Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said it would make the case against Hargon stronger.
"Our case was rock solid to begin with," Strain said.
The breakthrough came "through the interview process" and is related "not only with the prosecution of Mr. Hargon, but also the location of the missing family," Strain said.
Investigators who had been in Yazoo City Monday morning for the planned hearing flew to Smith County -- Earnest Lee Hargon's home -- to focus on the recent development, Strain said.
Hargon was arrested over the weekend on unrelated drug and gun charges involving a small amount of methamphetamines and an illegally altered AR-15 rifle, Strain said.
Strain told CNN earlier that an inheritance dispute between Michael and Earnest "goes to motive."
An uncle died, leaving land to Michael Hargon and none to Earnest Lee Hargon, Strain had said.
As part of the probe, authorities went to Earnest Hargon's house near Taylorsville, which also is the location of a veterinary clinic owned by his wife, Lisa, Strain said. She is listed in the phone book as Lisa Ainsworth, a veterinarian.
The search for the Hargon family was focused Saturday and Sunday on a 160-acre site in Smith County, about 100 miles south of their home.
The land, partly covered with woods and marshland, and with a river running through it, is partly owned by Earnest Hargon.
Michael Hargon's family was reported missing after a friend saw the door open at their home in Vaughan, Mississippi, about 35 miles north of Jackson. Investigators said there was blood at the scene but no sign of forced entry. Relatives said nothing appeared to be missing.
Investigators have been searching for a white van, which several people said they saw racing from the neighborhood where the family lives on the day they disappeared.
Michael Hargon is a construction worker, and his wife is a physical therapist, family members said.
CNN Producer Mike Ahlers contributed to this report.
Family Photo
Figured it was much higher. GA and OK are up there I know.