Christian Richard Martin, 51, is accused of killing Calvin and Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau in November 2015, according to Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear.
In a statement, Beshear said Calvin Phillips was found shot to death in his Pembroke, Kentucky home on or about November 18, 2015, and the bodies of his wife and Dansereau were found a few miles away in a corn field in Pamela Phillips' burned up car.
A Christian County grand jury indicted Martin on Friday on three counts of murder; one count of arson; one count of attempted burglary in the first degree; and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. The indictment was sealed until he was taken into custody, Beshear said.
Family members of the murder victims said hundreds of people had been deeply affected after their relatives lives were "brutally extinguished" in 2015.
"Every day, we are haunted by what was done to them and haunted further that someone was still free to do as they wish, beyond the civility of mankind or laws of our nation," they said in the statement released by Beshear's office. "We look forward to justice in court, and we look forward to a verdict to bring an end to this terror, and a fresh start at healing."
'Like something in a movie'
Passengers at the Louisville airport when Martin was arrested told CNN affiliate WDRB of their shock.
Ashley Martin and her mother Frances Wise were waiting to board an American Airlines flight from Louisville to Charlotte when they heard their pilot had been arrested.
"It was like something you would totally see in a movie," Martin -- no relation to the accused -- said.
"It was very tense," her mother told WDRB. "I think it was very tense. You could tell the employees knew something was going on."
The women assumed their pilot had been intoxicated and learned of the reason for his arrest later in the day.
"It's startling," said Martin. "It's scary to think this happened so long ago, and they're just now getting around to catching the guy."
AG says case shows importance of seeking justice
Beshear said he had accepted a request from the local commonwealth's attorney two years ago to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the case after the family's son had expressed concern that investigations had stalled.
"I hope this is a day that brings some justice to these families," he said "There are many steps from here, but we hope this is one example of when you never stop seeking justice, when you never give up, that we can truly get important results for these families."
Martin moved from Christian County after the murders and was living in North Carolina at the time of the indictment. He is being held without bond and will be returned to Christian County to await trail, Beshear said.
American Airlines says Martin was a pilot for regional subsidiary PSA Airlines.
"All of us at American Airlines and PSA Airlines are deeply saddened to have learned about these allegations from 2015. Our team was made aware of the indictment this morning after his arrest at Louisville International Airport," it said in a statement.
"We have an unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our customers and team members, and we will provide any investigative assistance possible to law enforcement throughout their investigation."
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