The Meridian Police Department has arrested two brothers from North Carolina wanted in a murder investigation.

Police arrested Jerrett Cole Ward, 24, and his brother Jeffery Todd Ward, 25, on Nov. 29 during a traffic stop on the interstate.

“They were really stopped because they were driving a vehicle stolen from out-of-state,” Meridian Police Department Sgt. Dareall Thompson said. The arresting officers brought the two men into custody.

After alerting the agency about the stolen vehicle through the National Crime Information Center – a system that allows law enforcement across state lines to pool resources – the agency notified MPD that the men were wanted for questioning in a missing persons case in North Carolina.

The FBI came to interview the brothers and on Friday, Dec. 2, the Lauderdale County Detention Center released them for transport to the Martin County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina.

The victims, Dawnn Elizabeth Ward and Taylor Lynn Carroll, had been reported missing on Nov. 28, according to Martin County Lt. Drew Robinson.

“On Thursday… we had evidence to indicate that Ms. Ward and Ms. Carroll were deceased. And our investigation shifted from that of a missing persons case to that of a homicide investigation and a recovery effort for their bodies,” Robinson said.

Authorities recovered Dawnn Ward, former wife of Jeffery, and Carroll, Dawnn’s daughter, from a nearby 40-foot deep well that contained nearly 30 feet of water.

Martin County has both brothers in custody awaiting trial.

Police charged Jeffery Ward with two counts of murder and denied bond. Jerrett Ward was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact. His bond was set at $1 million.

“We put (this information) out there because other agencies might stop this person,” said Thompson, speaking about the crime database. “You could be in Mississippi and go to California but if it’s in the system – it pops up.”