Hiker on Calif. Trail Came Upon Horrifying Discovery: Bodies of Missing Couple, as Police Reveal How They Died

The bodies of a mates antecedently declared missing were discovered by a hiker connected a Thousand Oaks, Calif., hiking way successful Ventura County astatine 6:52 p.m., adjacent nan Sunrise and Autumn trails connected May 4.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has launched a homicide investigation into nan alleged murders upon nan find of nan bodies. The 2 bodies person been identified arsenic José Luis Perez, 64, and Stephanie Elizabeth Perez, 65, nan Sheriff's Office confirmed successful a connection posted connected Facebook connected Thursday, May 8. PEOPLE reached retired to nan Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office, but did not instantly perceive back.

The mates from Simi Valley, Calif., were missing for astir 10 months, and had mislaid interaction pinch family successful July 2024, per nan sheriff's office. They were reported missing erstwhile Stephanie’s employer requested a use cheque aft she grounded to log successful remotely for work, the Simi Valley Acorn reports.

When authorities searched their home, nan couple’s individual belongings, including money, passports, IDs, cellphones, and moreover their vehicle—were recovered near behind, nan outlet reports. Detective Kevin VanFleet of the Simi Valley Police Department told nan Acorn in September 2024, “We’re concerned for their well-being, particularly fixed their property and nan basking upwind nan area has knowledgeable since mid-July."

Both died of gunshot wounds to nan head. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Jose Luis' decease a termination while Stephanie Elizabeth's decease was ruled a homicide, officials confirmed to V.C. Star. An investigation into nan motive of nan alleged crime remains underway.

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As of now, nan alleged murder-suicide appears to beryllium an isolated incident. The sheriff’s agency Major Crimes Unit is investigating nan case, and anyone pinch accusation regarding nan deceased is asked to telephone Detective DeLaCerda astatine 805-384-4724.

If you aliases personification you cognize is considering suicide, please interaction nan 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, matter "STRENGTH" to nan Crisis Text Line astatine 741741 aliases spell to 988lifeline.org.