Paul Arthur Stockwell Jr., aged 29, was found dead on February 3, 2020, near the Cougar Crest Trail in Fawnskin, California. He was discovered alongside his girlfriend, Ria Gabriella Williams, aged 27. The couple had been reported missing after they were last seen in the Big Bear area on January 29, 2020. Williams' vehicle was found in a parking area near the trail, prompting a search that led to the discovery of their bodies about half a mile into the forest.
Initially, the circumstances surrounding their deaths were unclear, and the case was treated as a homicide investigation. However, further investigation and autopsy results revealed that both Stockwell and Williams died from gunshot wounds. Williams' death was ruled a suicide, as she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Stockwell also died from a gunshot wound, but the coroner's investigators could not definitively determine whether his death was a suicide or a homicide. Despite this, detectives found evidence consistent with Stockwell also committing suicide, including the recovery of a gun registered to him at the scene.
The investigation into their deaths did not uncover any suspects or indications of foul play beyond the initial suspicions. There were no arrests or litigations related to their deaths, and the case was ultimately closed with the conclusion that it was a double suicide. The tragic incident left the community in shock, and Stockwell's father, who was battling blood cancer and relied heavily on his son for support, faced significant emotional and financial challenges in the aftermath.
