Man charged after remains of three people found in tree

COLUMBUS, OH Matthew Hoffman was arrested in November following the disappearance of four people. The dismembered bodies of three of them were found days later inside a tree using information provided by Hoffman. The fourth victim, a 13-year-old girl, was found alive but bound and gagged in Hoffman's basement.

The indictment issued in central Ohio's Knox County on Tuesday carries a possible penalty of life in prison without parole. Prosecutor John Thatcher says the death penalty was dropped at the wish of the victims' families.

Hoffman's lawyer said last month that his client had been taken off suicide watch in jail and was maintaining a positive attitude.