Bodies Of Missing California Couple Found Near Hiking Trail

A couple that went missing near a hiking trail has been found dead in a forest near Big Bear, California. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Paul Stockwell, 29, and Ria Williams, 27, were found roughly a mile into the woods near a hiking trail east of Los Angeles on Wednesday.

“Deputies requested assistance from Deputy Ryan Girard and K9 Dare to search the Cougar Crest Trail and surrounding area,” the Sheriff Department’s official release said. "At about 1:30 p.m. a man and woman were found deceased approximately one-half mile into the forest. Due to the circumstances, Specialized Detectives from the Homicide Detail were requested to conduct the investigation.”

Stockwell and Williams were last in Big Bear on Jan. 29. Williams was the first to be reported missing on Friday when she failed to show up at work in Santa Ana. Stockwell was later reported missing by his father. Police found Williams’ car parked near the Cougar Crest Trail on Monday at around 2 a.m.

“Neither of the missing person reports indicated any suspicious circumstances or reason to suspect foul play,” the department said in a statement.

Homicide detectives are leading the investigation into Stockwell and Williams’ disappearance and deaths.

A forthcoming autopsy will determine the causes of death.