By G. T. Houts
Big Bear, CA – On Monday, February 3, 2020 – at 2:18 a.m., deputies from the Big Bear Station located a vehicle in the parking area near Cougar Crest Trail that belonged to a missing person, Ria Garbiella Williams, a 27 year old resident of Santa Ana. Deputies learned that Williams was last seen in Big Bear on Wednesday, January 29, with her boyfriend Paul Arthur Stockwell, a 29 year old resident of Big Bear. 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.
Deputies requested assistance from Deputy Ryan Girard and K9 Dare to search the Cougar Crest Trail and surrounding area. 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.
Homicide Detectives are conducting a death investigation and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death of each victim.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information with information, or may have witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Detective Nick Craig, Specialized Investigations Division- Homicide Detail at (909) 387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We Tip at 1-800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.