Missing Couple Found Dead Near Big Bear Lake

BIG BEAR LAKE, CA — A couple who went missing last week have been found dead near Big Bear, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The bodies of Paul Arthur Stockwell, Jr., 29, of Big Bear, and Ria Gabriella Williams, 27, of Santa Ana, were discovered Monday afternoon at the Cougar Crest Trailhead/North Shore Drive in Fawnskin, near Big Bear Lake.

A sheriff's K-9 team found the bodies after Williams' vehicle was discovered early Monday morning near the Cougar Crest Trailhead, according to abc7.

Stockwell and Williams had last been seen in the Big Bear area together on Jan. 29, abc7 reported.

The investigation into their deaths is ongoing, but abc7 reported that the case is being treated as a homicide.

According to a GoFundMe page, Stockwell and his father were close business partners who operated a candle shop in Big Bear Village.

"However, Paul Sr., who is battling blood cancer and was relying heavily on his son Paul Jr., is now not able to work, causing his only financial source to come to a pause," the GoFundMe page reads. "At this time he not only grieves the loss of his son, but his business partner and best friend. In a time like this we ask the incredible community of Big Bear to come together once again. Help Paul Sr. raise the funds to bury his son, and take some time off to recover from this tragic loss before returning to work."