Missing Athens men found murdered in storage unit

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - The bodies of two missing men who disappeared from Athens before Christmas have been found. 

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According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, Derrick Ruff and Joshua Lee Jackson were found murdered inside a storage unit at the Extra Space Storage located on Lawrenceville Highway in unincorporated Lawrenceville. Police said it appeared they had been shot to death. 

"They were very close friends described by family if you seen one, you seen the other, they was always together," Athens-Clarke County Police Captain Jerry Saulters told FOX 5's Deidra Dukes. 

Jackson and Ruff, both 25, were last seen together on Dec. 18, 2018, and had been missing ever since. Their bodies were discovered on Sunday after cadaver dogs alerted federal authorities to the storage unit.

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Two people have been identified as suspects in the case. Lesley Green, 30, of Stone Mountain, is currently in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail and has been charged with two counts of concealing the death of another. Robert Carlisle, 32, of Lithonia, remains at large. He's also wanted on two warrants for concealing the death of another. 

Police said as more suspects are identified, more people could be charged in the case. Green and Carlisle could also face additional charges. 

Investigators said they are trying to determine the link between the storage facility with the suspects and the victims. 

RELATED: Athens police continue searching for 2 missing men

The murders appear to be gang-related, according to police. "As part of the larger investigation, we do foresee more charges with additional suspects", said Captain Saulters.

Anyone with information on Carlisle's whereabouts is asked to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5300. Anonymous tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.