Authorities identify one of two men found murdered near Massachusetts Walmart

A Massachusetts man is facing charges after multiple men were found dead near a department store.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, 30-year-old Jay Blodget of Salem was arrested Wednesday night and charged with two counts of murder following the discovery of two deceased males in a wooded area, adjacent to the Walmart at 450 Highland Avenue, in Salem, Wednesday afternoon.

In Salem District Court Thursday morning, James Gubitose, Chief Trial Prosecutor, represented the commonwealth and stated that, a man was walking his dog when he came upon what appeared to be a human body. Police were called and found the bodies of two deceased males at the location.

During their investigation, Detectives from the Salem Police and Massachusetts State Police Unit assigned to the Essex District Attorney’s Office were eventually led to the defendant.

On Saturday, the Essex District Attorney’s Office provided the name of one of the deceased victims, Andrew Ross Guempel, 41, with a last known address of Arizona.

The name of the second victim will be released once notification has been made to next of kin.

Judge Randy Chapman presided over the arraignment and ordered the defendant held without bail.

A Probable Cause Hearing date was set for May 28, 2025.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Michael Phelan.