MANCHESTER, Maine — Maine State Police have called the deaths of an Augusta couple found inside a sport utility vehicle in an isolated area near Augusta suspicious, according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.
They were identified Friday evening as Eric Williams, 35, and Bonnie Royer, 26. The two lived together on Easy Street in Augusta, less than a mile from where the vehicle was found on the side of Sanford Road, he said.
McCausland said one of the victims called 911 about 3:30 a.m. on Christmas. Sanford Road is a dirt road near a number of sand and gravel pits. There are no houses in the immediate area, he said in a news release.
The bodies were taken to the Maine medical examiner’s office for autopsies to be performed Saturday, McCausland said. The SUV was towed to the Maine State Police Crime Lab.
Sanford Road, which runs through a rural area of Kennebec County where the car was found, was closed for most of the day while evidence was gathered, he said.
Detectives are attempting to retrace the couple’s footsteps on Christmas Eve, McCausland said Friday evening.
State police are asking anyone who had contact with Williams and Royer Thursday to call state police in Augusta at 624-7076.
Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office deputies are assisting in the investigation.