GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of an area resident there over the weekend and two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Larry Cox, 54, of Kissimmee, Fla., but formerly of the Ironton area, was found dead in the parking lot of the Island View Motel on First Avenue in Gallipolis Thursday night.

“We received a call of a man down in the parking lot of the motel,” Police Chief Clint Patterson said. “When we arrived we found the body of Larry Cox in the parking lot. He was pronounced dead by Gallia County Coroner Dr. Daniel Whitely.”

Police have charged John C. Jeffers, 32, and Andrea Hughes, 18, both of Mason County, W.Va., in connection with Cox’s death. They were arrested Monday in Mason County by Mason County Sheriff’s deputies and taken to the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville.

Jeffers is charged with murder and car theft; Hughes is charged with complicity to car theft. Gallia County Prosecutor Jeff Adkins is being consulted about additional charges, according to a statement from the Gallipolis Police Department.

Patterson said motive has not yet been established.

“We’re really not sure. According to her (Hughes), there were no plans for this so we’re not exactly sure what the motive is.”

Patterson said it appears Cox was beaten to death. The body was taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy.

Authorities said Cox was in Gallia County working on a construction job.