Persons of interest identified in deaths of New Hampshire couple found buried on Texas beach

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two persons of interest have been identified in the killings of James and Michelle Butler, a New Hampshire couple whose bodies were found buried on a Texas beach.

Kleberg County Sheriff's Office officials said at a Monday news conference that they continue to investigate the homicides and are still reviewing evidence.

The Butlers' silver 2018 Chevrolet 2500 four-door pickup with New Hampshire license plates was last seen crossing the border into Mexico, Lt. David Mendoza said. 

A man and a woman shown in a photo released by authorities show the two inside a vehicle. The man in the driver's seat has gauged ears and tattoos. A woman is shown sitting in the passenger seat. 

It is unknown if more people were in the back of the vehicle. 

Authorities said the couple was last seen Oct. 15 at Padre Balli County Park on the coast of Texas, which they left that day.

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Mendoza said authorities saw a Facebook post from Michelle Butler on Oct. 15 saying they had just arrived at their "new home" on the beach for a few weeks before heading out to Florida, Mendoza said. 

The Butlers set up their truck and RV on Padre Island in Kleberg County later that day. 

The couple was reported missing by family members the next day on Oct. 16.

A Kleberg County deputy found their bodies on Oct. 27 buried in a shallow grave on Padre Island.

The Butlers' cause of deaths are not being released, Mendoza said. 

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