A couple reported missing last year was found dead on a hiking trail in Thousand Oaks, California, on May 4. A hiker discovered their bodies around 6:52 p.m. near the Sunrise and Autumn trails.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has opened a homicide investigation following this tragic discovery. The deceased have been identified as José Luis Perez, 64, and Stephanie Elizabeth Perez, 65. The sheriff’s office confirmed their identities in a statement released on May 8.
The couple, who lived in Simi Valley, California, had been missing for nearly ten months. Their family last heard from them in July 2024. They were reported missing after Stephanie failed to log into her remote work, prompting her employer to request a welfare check.
When authorities inspected their home, they found their personal items, including money, passports, IDs, cellphones, and their vehicle, all left behind. Detective Kevin VanFleet from the Simi Valley Police Department expressed concern for their safety, especially given their age and the extreme heat in the area since mid-July.
Both individuals died from gunshot wounds to the head. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office classified José Luis’s death as a suicide and Stephanie’s as a homicide. Authorities are still investigating the details surrounding these events.
At this stage, the incident appears to be isolated. The sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit is actively pursuing the investigation. Anyone with information about the couple is urged to contact Detective DeLaCerda at 805-384-4724.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to a crisis hotline for support.
