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Suspect in Ashland murders confesses to Marion County killing

From behind bars, Shawn Grate told investigators he is responsible for another unsolved murder, this one out of Marion County.

From behind bars, Shawn Grate told investigators he is responsible for another unsolved murder, this one out of Marion County.

That new information was released by the Marion County Sheriff Monday.

Grate was arrested September 13 after a woman called 911 and she said was being held inside a home in Ashland. That is when police found the remains of 43-year-old Stacey Stanley and 29-year-old Elizabeth Griffin.

Grate has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping in that case.

'Please hurry,' abducted Ashland woman says in dramatic 911 call

While in custody, Grate confessed to killing a woman in Richland County where another body was found. He has yet to be charged in Richland County.

Sheriff Bailey said the top priority for his office today is identifying the victim found in 2007. She remains known only as Jane Doe Monday.

Years ago a sketch was drawn up based on her remains, but the sheriff said they do not think that sketch is an accurate representation of the murder victim. He said Grate described a thinner woman with "good teeth".

Sheriff Bailey said Grate described the victim as a 26-year-old woman who had been selling magazines and when the victim did not deliver the magazines Grate’s mother ordered, he stabbed her and disposed of her body on Victory Road.

The sheriff said Grate confessed the killing that may have occurred as early as 2003 to his girlfriend, but she never reported it.

“He told her about it, but she didn’t believe it," Sheriff Bailey said.

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