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Son Suspected in Slaying of Iowa Family

Posted on: Sunday, 15 October 2006, 12:00 CDT

By JAMES BELTRAN

DES MOINES, Iowa - Authorities were questioning a man arrested in Illinois after his parents and three teenage sisters were found shot to death at their home in southeastern Iowa.

Shawn Bentler, 22, was arrested Saturday in Quincy, Ill., on an unrelated charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Adams County, Ill., sheriff's office.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Bentler is considered a suspect in the slayings, but did not disclose a motive.

Quincy is about 60 miles southeast of the family's home.

The victims were found early Saturday near Bonaparte, according to the Van Buren County sheriff's office. They were identified as Michael Bentler, 53; his wife, Sandra, 47; and their daughters Sheena, 17; Shelby, 15; and Shayne, 14.

Autopsies were planned for Sunday.

The slayings shocked residents of this tiny town, located about 145 miles southeast of Des Moines.

"The whole town knew the family," resident Marilyn Thomas said. "This is only a town of 465 people."

Thomas said she didn't see any indications of strife in the family.

The teens - a freshman, sophomore and senior - attended Harmony High School. School officials said they will have counselors available Monday to speak with grieving students.

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

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