SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) _ The bodies of a Shiprock couple have been found in a rugged area near the New Mexico-Arizona line, authorities say.

Searchers on Wednesday discovered the bodies of Elmer Benallie, 73, and his wife, Lucille, 69, in a wash near their vehicle.

The couple was last seen alive March 27.

Volunteers, including firefighters and police officers, had been searching for the couple since the beginning of this week.

Authorities searched near Beautiful Mountain in the Red Valley area of northwestern New Mexico by air and on horseback for two days and decided to scale down the search Wednesday morning.

They continued to use a helicopter and a small airplane until they found the bodies.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

Authorities had received inconsistent reports about what happened to the Benallies. They were told by some family members that the couple was seen going into the mountains to collect cattle, while other witnesses said the couple had gone to a casino in Colorado the same day.

The case remains under investigation.

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