A married couple was found dead in the Bint Jbeil town of Ainata Wednesday in a suspected murder case, sources close to the investigation told The Daily Star.

The victims, identified as 88-year-old Lebanese national Ramez Darwish and his Syrian wife Ghazi Hosnou, were found by their eldest son after he noticed a foul smell emanating from their house.

The sources said that unknown criminals had entered the home several days ago intending to steal money. Investigations revealed that Darwish attempted to resist the intruders, who proceeded to beat him and his wife with sharp objects.

The Internal Security Forces has arrested a number of suspects in connection with the crime, the sources said.