A husband allegedly killed his wife and her four children and then kept their bodies in his home and van for weeks.
Casei Jones, 32, and her children, aged between one and 10, were last seen about six weeks ago in Florida.
Her family reported her missing on Saturday night and her husband Michael Wayne Jones, 38, became a suspect.
The father was arrested after he crashed his van in Brantley County, Georgia, about 150 miles away from Ms Jones’ home, on Sunday.
A “foul odour” was said to be coming from the van belonging to Mr Jones, who reportedly told police: “You may want to put me in handcuffs.”
Ms Jones’ body was found inside the vehicle and her husband later led detectives to the bodies of four children in nearby Charlton County.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the children’s bodies had not been formally identified, but “detectives believe they are the remains of the four missing children” – Aiyana Jones, aged one, Mercalli Jones, two, Preston Bowers, five, and Cameron Bowers, 10.
It added in a statement: “It is believed that Michael Wayne Jones Jr murdered the victims in Marion County, Florida, at their Summerfield home, located at SE 86th Terrace.
“Detectives believe he stored the bodies at his home and in his van for several weeks before transporting them to Brantley County, Georgia.
“A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Michael Jones for having committed the offence of second degree murder in Marion County, Florida. More charges may be forthcoming.”
Sheriff Billy Woods, from Marion County, told a press conference: “As a father it breaks my heart; as a sheriff it angers me to no end.
“As the sheriff of this county, underneath the jail ain’t good enough. He has no right to walk the face of this earth.”
Mr Woods said it was not yet clear how long the mother and children had been dead for.
He added: “All we need to know is that’s evil and evil did something and evil needs to pay for what he did. Plain and simple as that.”
Online records for Brantley County Jail show Michael Jones also faces charges for driving with a suspended/revoked licence, weaving over a roadway, and being a fugitive from justice.
