Huge update in mystery deaths of hiking couple who vanished from their home before being found dead in woods
THE reward for information in the mystery deaths of a couple found dead in the woods has jumped to $50,000.
The update comes three months after the bodies of Stephen Reid, 67 and Djeswende Reid, 66, were discovered near their home.
The two were last seen alive on April 18, when they left their home in the Alton Woods apartment complex in Concord, New Hampshire around 2.30pm to go on a walk in the Broken Ground Trails area.
On April 21, their bodies were discovered with multiple gunshot wounds, and autopsies ruled both deaths a homicide.
Anonymous donations bumped the reward to $50,000 from its original $5,000 sum, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Investigators continue to search for a person of interest last seen in the vicinity of the April 18 shooting, authorities said.
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A sketch of the person of interest was revealed on May 17 by New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.
The person of interest is described as a white male in his late 20s or early 30s who is approximately 5-foot 10-inches tall.
The man in the sketch has a medium build, short brown hair, and no facial hair.
He may have been wearing a dark blue jacket, khaki pants, and had a black backpack, investigators said.
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A motive for the shooting remains unknown.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Concord Police Department at 603-225-8600.
If you wish to submit an anonymous tip, you may do so by calling the Concord Regional Crimeline at 603-226-3100 or submitting a tip online at www.concordregionalcrimeline.com.
‘BE VIGILANT’
Panicked family members raised the alarm two days after the Reids left for their walk, when they failed to show up to a planned event.
The couple’s son, Brian Reid, told The Concord Monitor: “The bed was neatly made and a window was open.
“Both their phones are still in the apartment. My dad’s wallet is also still in the apartment, and both their cars are here.”
Police said they have received dozens of tips in the case.
New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Geoff Ward told Boston 25 that he does not believe there is a threat to the public.
But he warned locals they should “remain vigilant”.
Ward and Concord Police Chief Bradley Osgood have so far refused to comment on whether the shooting was random.
Osgood added: “It’s always smart to lock your doors and be vigilant.”
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Ward said: “Anyone who saw the Reids that Monday afternoon, anyone walking on those trails, anyone who has any information related to their disappearance or deaths, are asked to contact the Concord Police Department about anything that they saw or heard.
“In addition, anyone along the area where the Reids walked that day, from Alton Woods to Portsmouth Street to the Broken Ground Trails, who has a home or business security system, is asked to review their recordings to determine if the Reids or anyone else were captured on those videos.”