Authorities identify body found in ditch, arrested four in connection to death

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Authorities said they have identified the remains that were found earlier this week in a ditch, and four people have been arrested in connection to the person's death. 

On Thursday, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said they have positively identified the remains as 68-year-old Gary Lew of Omaha. 

LSO Criminal Investigators said that later Thursday, they spoke with Lew's family and found that he was the victim of a homicide that happened about a month ago. 

Authorities said that Lew's remains were disposed of in Lancaster County sometime after his death. 

LSO said that after finding out this information, they turned the investigation over to the Omaha Police Department. 

It was reported that as of Friday morning, the Omaha Police Department made four arrests in connection to Lew's death.

The Omaha Police Homicide Unit said they arrested 37-year-old Christiana Thornley, 37-year-old Jacob Thornley, 39-year-old Justin Thornley, and 26-year-old Braden Bongers.

The four of them have been arrested for various charges related to Lew's death. 

The Homicide Unit said they were notified Thursday that LSO was investigating a body found in their jurisdiction earlier this week. 

Authorities had determined that Lew was murdered in Omaha about a month before his body was found, and OPD Homicide Unit detectives continued the investigation that led to the arrest of the four people. 

Christina Thornley has been charged with accessory to a felony, tampering with evidence, and concealing a body. 

Jacob and Justing Thornley have been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and concealing a body. 

Braden Bonger has been charged with second-degree murder. 

This is an ongoing investigation.