Texas authorities have identified two people that were spotted on security footage inside the stolen truck of a missing couple found dead in South Texas last week.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office released a security footage photo Monday morning, in connection with the deaths of 48-year-old James Butler and his wife, 46-year-old Michelle Butler, both of New Hampshire.
Police found the bodies of both James and Michelle on October 27, buried in a shallow grave at Padre Island beach, between Mile Markers 263 and 264, in an area known as “the bowl.” James was reportedly found buried underneath his wife.
Officials say they are both from the Salt Lake City, Utah area and they are not sure why they were in this…
Posted by Steven Rex Gabriel on Tuesday, November 5, 2019
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, police identified Adam Curtis Williams, 33, as the driver of the couple’s stolen truck. A female passenger in the truck has been identified as Amanda Noverre. An active warrant has been taken out for Williams for felony theft.
The Butler couple’s 2018 Silver Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck, which was towing their white Cedar Creek RV, was spotted crossing the Mexico border on October 21. Security footage captured Williams in the driver’s seat and Noverre in the passenger seat.
“We believe Williams to be the driver of the vehicle that belonged to the Butlers,” Kleberg County Sheriff Richard Kirkpatrick said. “This person is considered armed and dangerous. We ask that people not approach these individuals.”
Williams was arrested previously in Utah, according to the Standard-Examiner. He’s described as a white male who stands 6-feet-1 and weighs 220 pounds. He has blonde hair and hazel eyes.
According to The New Hampshire Union-Leader, James and Michelle were living out their dreams of traveling across the country. They had been traveling since last Summer, taking on temporary odd jobs along the way.
The couple planned to travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but stopped by Corpus Christi and decided to stay for a while.
The Kleberg County Sheriff’s Department is holding a news conference to release the latest information about the Butler murder investigation.
Posted by KRIS 6 News on Tuesday, November 5, 2019
James’ sister, Deborah Lynn van Loon, said that the couple found a free place to park their RV at Padre Island when tragedy struck. The pair had been there a little over two weeks when they suddenly stopped contacting their family. This was unusual, according to van Loon, who said James and Michelle typically made contact with family daily, often telling them about their adventures.
James was retired after serving 21 years in the U.S. Navy. He shared the love of traveling with his wife.
“He said, ‘I’ve traveled the world with the Navy, but I’ve never seen my own country,’” van Loon said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Kleberg County police at 361-595-8500 or 361-592-4636. You can also email tips to jgarza2@klebergcoso.org.
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[Feature Photo: James and Michelle Butler/Handout]
