NEWTON, Texas (KTRE) - A three-year long investigation has led to the arrest of four people accused in connection with the death of a man missing from Lincoln County.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s office first reported Josh Larkin to be missing from the Kirbyville area, on Private Road 7025, in October of 2022. Foul play was quickly suspected and search efforts continued over several years.

In a press conference Monday, the Newton and Jasper County Sheriff’s Offices announced four people have now been arrested.

Justin Taylor James and Johnathan Cody Bierhalter have both been charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence with intent to impair corpse. Rodney Allen Blankenship is charged with the third-degree felony of tampering with evidence with intent to impair corpse wh

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