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North Carolina authorities investigating murders of former "Food Network Star" contestant Cristie Schoen Codd, her husband Joseph Codd, and their unborn child, have found a gruesome twist in the murder case.

Allegedly, human remains have been found in a wood stove belonging to Robert Jason Owens, the key murder suspect in the case.

Owens' wife has told detectives that he had the remains of the season 8 "Food Network Star" finalist and her husband at his home, and part of them were found inside a wood stove.

Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan, revealed in a press conference that Owens admitted to hitting and killing Joseph with a pickup truck.

Sheriff Van Duncan, however, declined to elaborate on how Cristie Codd who was five months pregnant, was killed.

"We were able to recover what we think are human remains. Part of those were recovered from a wood stove at the residence," Duncan told reporters at a press conference.

US Magazine claimed that police are also investigating a fire that broke out early Friday morning which destroyed an unoccupied mobile home on Owens' property. Authorities think that the incident may also provide new details in the case.

Cristie and Joseph Codd's bodies have also yet to be officially identified.

Owens, who is charged with the couple's murder as well as the murder of their unborn child, was arrested on March 16 after a witness has seen him "suspiciously dumping large trash bags" on the night of March 15. Police later identified those items as belonging to the Codds which were stolen from Cristie Codd's Leicester home.

Ashville Citizen Times previously reported that authorities believe the Codds were murdered on March 12. Owens, who was their neighbour, worked as a contractor for the couple.

New York Daily News said that Owens, who has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, one count of murder of an unborn child, breaking and entering, and larceny, remains in custody without bond.

Owens was also suspected but never charged in the 2000 disappearance of an Asheville teenager, the Citizen-Times said.

Authorities are still investigating the motive for the suspected murder.