Hikers who vanished over Easter weekend are found shot dead in remote woodland

TWO hikers who vanished over the Easter weekend have been found shot dead in the woods in what police are considering a double murder.

The bodies of Stephen Reid, 67 and Djeswende Reid, 66, were discovered on Thursday evening near their home in Concord, New Hampshire after a search was launched earlier this week.      

New Hampshire Attorney General’s OfficeThe couple were discovered dead on Thursday evening[/caption]

WMURCops and troopers had frantically searched the woodland area after the couple were reported missing[/caption]

Family members said they had not heard from the couple since Monday after they left their apartment in the Alton Woods apartment complex at around 2.22pm.

And after the pair failed to turn up for a family event on Wednesday, cops, troopers, and K-9 units scoured trails in the surrounding area.

Investigators say they found both of their cars parked in their usual spots at the apartment complex. 

Opening an appeal to the public at the time, police said: “They are avid outdoors people and are known to take frequent walks along the trails near their Concord residence,” police added at the time.

“Their absence and lack of communication with family-friends are uncharacteristic, and their disappearance is of significant concern.”

They later added that the Reids had no history of domestic violence and were not thought to own firearms.

Since their bodies were found, autopsies ruled that both deaths were homicides.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

In a statement at a press conference on Friday, police chief Brad Osgood said: “I’ve always said that Concord is one of the safest cities in one of the safest states in the United States,’

“This is a tragedy, it came out of nowhere, and we’re going to be doing our due diligence and investing all of our resources and working with the state.”

They added that any suspicious behaviour or activity encountered should be reported to the Concord Police Department on 603-225-8600.

Tips can also be submitted on the Crimeline can be sent to TIP234 and CRIMES (274637),

New Hampshire State PoliceAn appeal from New Hampshire State police had been launched earlier this week[/caption]

WMURThe couple had last been seen leaving their home in Concord[/caption]