LOGAN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia State Police are discovering more about the death of James David Marcum Jr. - a 28-year-old man who was electrocuted while attempting to steal copper wire.

Marcum's body was found Saturday on a hillside near Omar off of Route 44 after he had been missing for three-and-a-half days. He was initially believed to have gone hunting.

Troopers say they believe Marcum wasn't alone when he was electrocuted, and they're in the process of questioning individuals who could have been with him.

They also say the power lines on that hillside were targeted by others in the past.

"We could see where some of the previous thefts occurred," Trooper J.E. Garren said. "Some of the power lines in that area are extremely old, and some of them aren't even used anymore. When we had the storms a couple of months ago, they knocked down those power lines."

Troopers say copper wire thefts are common in the area. They say Marcum's death should serve as a warning to all others who consider risking their much-more precious lives for precious metal.

"People should look closely at this and see that not only is it wrong and illegal, but you can get seriously hurt and even killed," Trooper Garren said.

Police are also investigating whether or not a group of people planned to steal the wire together. If so, they say the suspects could be charged with grand larceny along with failing to help Marcum.