Authorities in Texas say two bodies discovered in a shallow grave at a beach in Texas are that of a missing New Hampshire couple, the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office said in a release.
Officials in Texas confirmed on Friday that the two bodies discovered earlier last week on Oct. 27, were that of James and Michelle Butler, a couple from Rumney, New Hampshire who had been reported missing on Oct. 23.
The couple's deaths have been ruled a homicide according to the Nueces County medical examiner in Corpus Christi.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the Butler’s on the tragic loss of their loved ones,” read a statement from the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office.
The Butlers had reportedly set up camp with their truck and RV trailer on Padre Island, located near Corpus Christi during the week of Oct. 15. Family members reported told KZTV they reported the couple missing after losing contact with the pair, with the last communication with the couple on Oct. 16.
Sheriff Richard Kirkpatrick said the couple's truck and trailer were last seen crossing the U.S./Mexico border between Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 and the driver hadn't been the Butlers.
"At present law enforcement officers are working on the investigation and are working on identification of persons of interest and attempting to find the whereabouts of the victims' truck and RV trailer," the release reads.
James, 48, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and his wife Michelle, 46, had five grown children, according to KZTV.