‘If it was them, I want them to pay for what they did’: Family of slain N.H. couple speaks out after arrests in case
“It’s going to be such a big big hole in our hearts.”
The family of the New Hampshire couple whose bodies were found on a Texas beach last week says they want justice as the investigation into the murders goes forward. James and Michelle Butler, of Rumney, New Hampshire, were reported missing in mid-October and were last seen alive in Corpus Christi, Texas. Their bodies were discovered buried in a shallow grave on Padre Island in late October, where the 48-year-old man and 46-year-old woman planned to visit, having been traveling the region in a truck and RV. Authorities arrested a man and woman, identified by Texas police as persons of interest in connection with the investigation into the couple’s slaying, in the Mexican state of Jaliso on Wednesday. An image showing the two of them crossing the border into Mexico driving the truck and RV that belonged to the Butlers was released by police on Monday.Adam Curtis Williams and Amanda Noverr are both facing charges of felony theft in connection with the deaths of the Butlers, according to KIII TV. On Friday, Williams and Noverrmade their first court appearances in connection with those charges. James Butler’s sister, Deborah Van Loon, told Boston 25 News she’s relieved suspects have been arrested in the case, and that her family wants justice for the slain couple. “I hope to find out what they did, why they did what they did, and, if it was them, I want them to pay for what they did,” Van Loon told the station. Her brother and his wife were family-oriented and adventurous, which is why they were traveling in the RV, she said. “I just miss them a lot, and we all miss them so very much,” Van Loon said. “And it’s going to be such a big big hole in our hearts.”She and her family have started a GoFundMe page in order to help the family travel down to Texas and return the remains of their loved ones. “We are making plans slowly and these funds will help to get James and Michelle home and for services and to help get his children here for services,” Van Loon wrote on the site. “Your support is unbelievably gracious and the comfort it brings is much more than you know.”
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