Dead women at site for a while, reports say

The cause of death won't be known for a few days.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA STAFF
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The bodies of two women found in a secluded spot off Pa. Route 168 in Taylor Township were dumped well over a week apart.
Preliminary autopsy reports show that Tammie Mullins, 36, of Morris Street, New Castle, was there for three to four weeks and Mandy McLaren, 24, of Sciota Street, New Castle, was there for about two to four days before their bodies were discovered Wednesday, said Russell S. Noga, Lawrence County coroner.
Pennsylvania State Police said they had a suspect in custody Wednesday evening, but did not release his name.
"We were in the process of arresting the guy for rape and that led us to believe he may be responsible for the deaths of these two women," state trooper Randall McPherson said.
The exact cause of death for Mullins and McLaren could not be determined during Wednesday's autopsies, Noga said. More tests were expected and a ruling should be made in a few days, he said.
One of the bodies was discovered Wednesday afternoon by a man searching for scrap metal in the heavily wooded land between Route 168 and the CSX rail line. McPherson said the spot is a popular trash dump.
Police found the second body when they were securing the crime scene, he said.
New Castle Police said Mullins was reported missing by her husband, Jeffrey Mullins, on Aug. 5.
It's unclear if McLaren was reported missing to police.
McLaren's mother, Sharon Jones, said Wednesday morning that she feared for the safety of her other family members.
"It could be somebody my kids know. There have been a lot of drugs in New Castle and we're just worried for my kids safety," Jones said.
Was in trouble with the law
McLaren's brother, Lucas, was released from the Lawrence County Jail on Wednesday morning after prosecutors rescinded a bench warrant for his arrest. Matt Mangino, Lawrence County district attorney, said it's not uncommon to release an inmate who is in jail on a nonviolent offense when a family member dies suddenly.
Mandy McLaren also spent time in the Lawrence County Jail. In May 2000 she was sentenced to two to four years in jail after pleading guilty to third-degree murder in the death of her 8-month-old son, James. He died of severe malnourishment in April 1998. The child's twin brother, Jason, was also diagnosed with severe malnourishment, but survived.
During McLaren's sentencing her attorney described her as a girl from a troubled family who was on her own at age 13 and pregnant with twins at age 16. She stopped attending school after the fifth grade, her attorney said.
McLaren's son Jason and a third child, born while McLaren was in jail waiting sentencing, were given up for adoption, according to Vindicator archives.
cioffi@vindy.com