A third suspect was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with the ongoing investigation into the death of Melissa Barto.

Joshua Wayne Bowser, 21, of Lyndora was charged with hindering apprehension, a felony, and criminal conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, both misdemeanors.

“He assisted in disposing of the victim's body,” said Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger.

Bowser had knowledge of conversations with murder suspect Ishemer Ramsey, Barto's boyfriend, about her death, according to a state police report.

The affidavit said Bowser knew of Ramsey's alleged plan to dispose of her body, before lending his vehicle to Ramsey.

“Bowser related conflicting information throughout the investigation about the lending of his vehicle to Ramsey and [James] Howard-George,” the affidavit of probable cause said.

The report also stated that Bowser lent his vehicle, a tan 2004 Pontiac Grand Am to Ramsey and Howard-George with knowledge that the vehicle would be used to transport and dispose of Barto's body.

Barto's remains, which were badly burned, were found around 7 p.m. Monday in a rural section of Neshannock Township in northern Lawrence County, police said. Investigators suspect she was killed Thursday night.

Barto was reported missing Friday after she missed her daughter's kindergarten graduation Thursday. Howard-George told police that Ramsey told him he shot Barto three times in the head.

Both defendants are being held without bail at Butler County Prison. Bowser joined them at Butler County Prison Tuesday afternoon.

Bowser's bail is set at $100,000, and his preliminary hearing is at 10 a.m. June 22 in the court of Magisterial District Judge B.T. Fullerton.