Missing Indiana couple found in Nevada desert; wife airlifted to Reno, husband found deceased
UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: According to an article by the Associated Press, the couple was found with their car. It appears that after the RV became stuck, the couple set out in their vehicle heading deeper into the mountains and the car unfortunately also became stuck appropriately two miles away from the RV.
The article also stated that Beverly melted snow for water and the car provided shelter at night, and that she was in “good condition” when located but authorities chose to airlift her to a Reno hospital to be assessed.
At this time, it is unknown why the couple was in the mountains. Beverly is said to be recovering.
This is a developing story.
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On March 26, Ronnie and Beverley Barker left Oregon in their 2015 Forest River Sunseeker RV headed south. Their destination was set for Tuscon, Ariz.
A day later on March 27, the couple were seen getting gas in Stagecoach that evening, and later that night, they were spotted in Coledale and Dyer.
After that, the couple, both in their seventies, disappeared.
Family members began reaching out on social media asking those in Nevada to keep their eyes out of the Indiana couple, stating they could have broken down somewhere in the desert.
This week, several agencies began to comb the deserts and on Tuesday, it was reported by a family member that rescue teams had located the RV.
Beverly was airlifted to Reno, but sadly, Ronnie passed away sometime during the ordeal.
“I have no details on where they were found or how he passed away,” said nephew Travis Peters in a social media post. “If my uncle passed away over the past 48 hours, knowing that feet were dragging during the first two days of this ordeal, than (sic) … I can’t even type it.”
According to Channel 2 news, Mineral County Undersheriff Bill Ferguson confirmed they’d located the couple late Tuesday afternoon in Esmeralda County.
It was reported by family members that the RV had become stuck in mud west of Silver Peak, but the couple was not found with it and neither was their car.
Some following the case on social media have asked why agencies did not act sooner on the information to search for the missing couple.
Peters seems to share this sentiment, though he commended the search and rescue teams as well as the civilians who helped search for his missing aunt and uncle.
"Such frustration," Peters wrote on social media. "My sorrow is just overshadowed by the fact that they didn't get to them in time. If a search had been initiated in a more timely manner (not 3+ days after we reported them missing) than maybe Ronnie would still be here. If a Silver Alert had been issued, it may have prompted a more urgent response from Esmeralda County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Kenneth Elgan."
Peters stated that the last time he spoke to Sheriff Elgan, he told him "Well, if I called in more searchers, I don't know where to tell them to look. We've looked everywhere in this county."
"The amount if (sic) incompetence that I've witnessed over the past 5 days is mind boggling," Peters wrote.
No information has been released from law enforcement agencies at this time.
This is a developing story.