Two people with West Plains ties were found dead last week in a vehicle parked along a highway in Jefferson County, Colo., according to officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
The deceased have been identified as Corinne Wallen, 45, and Joshua Young, 47.
According to an April 1 statement from the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a 911 call the morning of March 31 after a passerby reported a blue Toyota RAV4 had been parked along Highway 103, near the Clear Creek County line, for at least two days. Upon investigation, law enforcement discovered Wallen and Young inside the vehicle.
According to the statement, both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds to the head. A firearm was recovered at the scene, and investigators found several notes written by the pair on the vehicle’s dashboard.
Using automated license plate recognition data, obtained through Flock cameras, investigators determined Wallen and Young had been traveling across the country and had no known ties to the Jefferson County area. Officials emphasized there was never a threat to the public.
A public information officer with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Quill on Monday that both individuals had family members living in West Plains. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is conducting autopsies to make a final determination on the cause and manner of death.
