CLARKSBURG (AP) — Police say a 45-year-old man who killed himself as authorities prepared to arrest him may have been involved in five homicides and four arsons.

James Childers shot himself in a Clarksburg motel room Tuesday morning as police knocked on the door.

Police had discovered two bodies based on information Childers provided in a letter and two-hour taped message he sent to an officer Monday.

Clarksburg detective Dave Wygal says Childers confessed to setting four fires on a street where he lived and being involved in dumping one of the bodies. But investigators say they’ll have to review the material to determine whether he actually confessed to murder.

The information led police to two bodies, in Barbour and Braxton counties. No information about the bodies has been released.