Lost Boys of Bucks County taken in Cosmo DiNardo killing spree in Bucks County remembered

It was a murder spree that unfolded over a week’s time seven years ago this July, sending shockwaves through Bucks County and beyond. The chilling effects still impact our community.

It began as four young men, seemingly not connected, vanished one after the other. With tips from residents and traffic light camera footage, detectives traced the disappearances to a remote Solebury farm owned by the DiNardo family.

The investigation found Cosmo DiNardo, then 21, with the aid of his cousin Sean Kratz, had lured four men to the site. Once there, the cousins shot and killed the young men, identified as Jimi Patrick, 19, Dean Finocchiaro, 19, Thomas Meo, 21, and Mark Sturgis, 22.

Seven years after the boys went missing, the Bucks County Courier Times looks back on the case that had the nation focused on Bucks County, which was struggling to make sense of it.

Here is a look back at some key events during the case.

Solebury slayings: A timeline

The case started with separate missing person reports. One would lead authorities to the DiNardo family farm in Solebury. In those early days, new developments, new leads and information kept investigators busy as they desperately searched for the boys and tried to piece together the case. Cosmo DiNardo and his cousin Sean Kratz would ultimately be arrested and charged.

DiNardo pleaded guilty and is serving four life sentences in state prison. Kratz was convicted at trial and sentenced to life in prison.

A timeline of the killings: Solebury slayings: A timeline

How the case unfolded

Then-DA Matt Weintraub revealed in a press conference that law enforcement discovered the remains of 1 of 4 missing men in a 'common grave' in Solebury.

First victim identified: UPDATE: Bucks DA: Remains of 1 of 4 missing men identified; found in 'common grave' in Solebury

Bucks County District Attorney Weintraub was hesitant to reveal publicly, too early, information that had been uncovered. He said that the investigation into the whereabouts of four missing men from Bucks and Montgomery counties is a "marathon" and not a sprint.

When foul play first suspected: Investigators suspect foul play in case of 4 missing men from Bucks, Montgomery counties

Who were the four men taken too soon?

Family and friends recall Dean Finocchiaro, Tom Meo, Mark Sturgis and Jimi Patrick, who were murdered by Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz.

Four lives cut tragically short: The lives of the 'Lost Boys of Bucks County': Dean Finocchiaro, Thomas Meo, Jimi Patrick, Mark Sturgis

The funerals: MULLANE: Four funerals concluded, ahead a crucible

DiNardo parents settle suit with victims' families

The legal wrangling around one of the most horrific mass murders in the history of Bucks County ended in a private settlement between the families of the victims and the parents of their killer.

Families settle suit: Cosmo DiNardo's parents settle suit with families of four young men killed in Bucks County

A&E's 'Lost Boys of Bucks County'

The brutal case catches the eye of TV network A&E, which delves into the details on its true crime show "City Confidential". The episode chronicles the investigations and the killings' impact on the community.

A&E delves into the murder case: Cosmo DiNardo, 'Lost Boys' of Bucks County case featured in upcoming A&E true crime show

Events of July 2017 still chill investigators

Five years later, local law enforcement, including then-DA Matt Weintraub, look back on the four young men killed in Solebury, in what is considered the biggest murder case in county history,

A procedural view from police: Cops take us inside search for 'lost boys of Bucks County' that ended in brutal discovery in Solebury

Families want answers: Kratz victim families: ’We want the truth’

Sentencing for DiNardo, Kratz

“You call your cousin a monster. Yes, he’s a sick monster, but you’re an evil monster,” one of the victim's moms said to Sean Kratz after he was sentenced to life. The DA did not seek the death penalty although Kratz was charged with first degree murder.

Family responds to Kratz sentencing: 'A piece of us will always be missing’

Life for Cosmo DiNardo: DiNardo to serve life as cousin rejects deal, faces death

Medium security facility an 'outrage': Cosmo DiNardo killed 4. He now spends his days in a medium security prison.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Lost Boys of Bucks County taken in Cosmo DiNardo killing spree in Bucks County remembered