Missing couple found dead

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

SHIPROCK — An elderly couple reported missing by family members on Monday was found dead Wednesday afternoon in a wash in Big Gap.

Elmer Benallie, 73, and his wife, Lucille Benallie, 70, were last seen by their family during the afternoon of March 27, when they were tending to their cattle in Mitten Rock. For five days the family attempted to make contact with them through their cellular phone. After several failed attempts to reach them, the family filed a missing persons report on Monday and a search and rescue was initiated.

According to police officials, the couple was headed toward their sheep camp on Beautiful Mountain when their ATV and truck got stuck in a sandy wash. Family volunteers located the couple and their green Ford truck around 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, just five miles south of their residence. Lucille's body was found underneath the truck, and Elmer's body was found between the truck and the ATV.

"It looked like she was trying to keep warm under the vehicle, because it snowed during that time they were missing," said Sgt. Shirley Sanisya, Shiprock Police District.

According to police, both elders had a medical history and were on prescribed medications. Elmer Benallie was diabetic, and Lucille Benallie had to used a cane for walking. Sanisya said the couple had no food or blankets.

Sanisya said it looks as though Elmer was on the ATV when he got high centered in the wash. Lucille then tried to come over to push him from where he was stuck, but was unable to. During that time, the truck went down in the arroyo, and also got stuck. The Benallies attempted to get the vehicle out, but because of the their age and medical history, they were unsuccessful.

Navajo Nation police, New Mexico State Police, Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management, Apache County Sheriff's office, Navajo tribal rangers, San Juan County Search and Rescue, the Red Cross, and family volunteers conducted both a ground search and air search for the past three days.

Their bodies were transported to Desert View funeral home in Shiprock.