Former CT Woman ID'd As Victim In California State Park Fatality

ORANGE, CT — A 27-year-old former Connecticut resident — and graduate of Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge — has been identified as one of two people found dead in a California state park on Monday, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office.

Ria Gabrielle Williams, who was living in Santa Ana, California, and her boyfriend Paul Arthur Stockwell Jr., 29, had been reported missing last week.

A spokesperson for Amity Regional High School confirmed to Patch that Williams was a 2011 graduate of the school.

"Deputies learned that Williams was last seen in Big Bear on Wednesday, January 29th with her boyfriend, Paul Stockwell," wrote San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner John McMahon in a statement. "On Friday, January 31st Williams did not report to work, and a co-worker reported her missing. Stockwell had also been reported missing by his father. Neither of the missing person reports indicated any suspicious circumstances or reason to suspect foul play."

With help of police dogs, the couple's bodies were found about a half-mile into the forest near the Cougar Crest Trail by Big Bear Lake.

"Homicide Detectives are conducting a death investigation," McMahon added. "An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death for each victim."

Since news of the discovery broke, two GoFundMe pages have been established to assist Williams' father with funeral expenses, one here and one here.

Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been established to aid Stockwell's father with funeral expenses.

"The ice-water shock of losing his 27 year old daughter has hit Ria's dad, Daryl Williams, with tremendous force," wrote Anne Goorhuis, organizer of one of the GoFundMe pages. He resides in Connecticut and wants with his whole heart for nothing more than to see his daughter smiling and whole. Daryl will have to wait for Heaven for that privilege. In the meantime, he desires to transport his daughter remains to her home state, so Ria's mother, brothers, family and friends can mourn together."

Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.