Texas authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying two people they say are “persons of interest” in connection with the murders of a New Hampshire couple, whose remains were discovered near Corpus Christi last week.

James and Michelle Butler, of Rumney, New Hampshire, were last seen on Oct. 16 and had been reported missing when their bodies were discovered on Padre Island. The 48-year-old and 46-year-old, respectively, had been traveling in the area in their RV, which the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for.

James Butler’s sister, Deborah van Loon, had written on a Facebook page dedicated to the couple that their truck and trailer were seen crossing into Mexico and the driver was not her brother.


On Monday, the sheriff’s department released a photo of a man and woman who authorities have identified as persons of interest in the case.

Kleberg County Texas District Attorney John Hubert said during a press conference they are not yet considered suspects in the homicide investigation.

“At this point they’re just people we want to identify and talk to,” he said.

Hubert noted the “specific characteristics” of the man and woman.

“The male has large holes, earrings, in his ears, often called gages,” Hubert said. “They have tattoos, specific tattoos.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office.