Several women were found dead in a 100-mile range over three months and authorities have identified one person of interest

The bodies of four women discovered in wooded areas in north-west Oregon are linked, authorities said on Monday while announcing that police have identified “at least one person of interest”.

Fears of a serial killer in the Pacific north-west had grown since last month when the Oregonian reported that six women, all under 40 and most with connections to the Portland area, were found dead in secluded areas in a 100-mile range over three months.