(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich.-A 16-year-old suspect was identified late Sunday night in the murder of Ann Arbor resident Emily Eagen and her friend Emily Howell of Kentucky.

Eagen had been in Costa Rica for several days visiting Howell, who was studying abroad from Antioch College in Ohio, when their bodies were discovered March 13 on a highway many miles from their severely burned rental sports utility vehicle.

As of yesterday, the family could only report that one suspect had been arrested.

Eagen’s father, Charles, said the U.S. Embassy has informed the family of the arrest of the 16-year-old male suspect.

“I have no idea when more information will come: it comes when it comes, and it is painfully slow,” Eagen said.

Officials at the U.S. State Department’s Office of Central American Affairs said yesterday that the arrested minor was in possession of a gun that is a ballistic match to the bullets found in the bodies of Howell and Eagen. Eagen was expecting to attend the University in its non-degree program next fall.

The State Department also said additional suspects are being investigated.

This case and the October murder of an elderly couple, also in Costa Rica, have caused Department officials to inform travelers of potential dangers which target innocent travelers.

The State Department offers potential travelers a lengthy informational recording for Central American countries.

Their information on Costa Rica asserts that tourists are frequent victims of crime, and recently criminals have been less hesitant to use violent force when committing a crime. Frequently reported crimes include sexual assault and kidnapping.

Visitors are urged not to use faulty taxi-cabs and to abstain from riding in the front seat.

Traveling in groups, wearing no jewelry and leaving valuables in safes, has proven helpful, according to the recording.

There is no warning against travel to Costa Rica, but a public announcement has been made regarding recent employee strikes, which have resulted in violence.

State Department officials said that issuing a warning is a significant act only used for natural disasters and wars, and they would not want to issue it in such instances especially in a country with so many tourists, such as Costa Rica.