Authorities have reported that a hiker in California discovered skeletal remains belonging to a couple who had been missing for almost a year.
The hiker, who remains unidentified, found the bodies of 64-year-old Jose Luis Perez and 65-year-old Stephanie Elizabeth Perez while hiking on the Thousand Oaks trail this past Sunday. This information was confirmed by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
Medical examiners determined that Jose died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while Stephanie’s death was ruled a homicide.
The couple was last seen in July 2024 after they lost contact with friends and family. Stephanie’s boss grew concerned when she failed to log in for remote work, prompting authorities to investigate.
At the time of the investigation, detectives found cash, passports, identification documents, cell phones, and even their vehicles left behind in the couple’s home.
The Sheriff’s Department stated, “This appears to be an isolated incident. The subjects were known to each other, and both were reported missing in July 2024.”
Investigators are still looking into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
