GAFFNEY, S.C. -- At a news conference Thursday, Sheriff Bill Blanton said the slayings of a Gaffney mother and daughter Wednesday are connected to the killing of a Cherokee County man last weekend.

FOX Carolina News reported that 83-year-old Hazel Keaton Linder, and her daughter, 50-year-old Gena Linder Parker, were both found fatally shot in their home at 114 Buck Shoals Road.

The last time the two victims were seen alive was at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Blanton said

Blanton said if the deaths were linked to that of 63-year-old Kline Cash, a peach farmer found fatally shot at his home on Battleground Road June 27. Deputies said he was gunned down between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The FBI has joined in the investigation. Authorities said they believe the gunman is targeting women.

Investigators said they think he was targeting Mrs. Cash but she wasn’t home at the time.

Deputies have released a sketch of the gunman.

Investigators said the culprit is described as a white man with salt and pepper hair, about 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 250 pounds.

At the time of the Kline's slaying, deputies said the man had a three or four day old beard.

Deputies said the man was last seen driving a 1991 to 1994 Ford Explorer Sport. The two-door SUV is gray or champagne in color and the paint on the vehicle is faded.

Investigators said they are also searching for a dark blue van last seen at Linder and Parker's home between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Blanton said at this time, investigators don’t know if the van belongs to a friend of the victims or if it is the killer's vehicle.

Investigators are asking anyone who might have information about the culprit or the vehicles to call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 864-489-4722 or Crimestoppers at 864-489-2746.

Stay with FOX Carolina and foxcarolina.com for the latest on this developing story.