Missing Couple Located, Boyfriend Dead

Nearly a week after they left Citrus Heights for Gardnerville, Nevada, a woman and her boyfriend have been found, the boyfriend found dead in an area of heavy snow, authorities confirm.

Citrus Heights police confirm Roderick Paul Clifton, 44, and Paula Lane, 46, were located by Alpine County Sheriff's Department deputies Wednesday evening around 8:30.

The couple was reported missing last Thursday when they left a relative's home in Citrus Heights. According to a police report, they were supposed to return to their Nevada home that day. However, neither had been from since then. That changed Wednesday evening.

The search was conducted by vehicle, on foot, and in the air; however, due to poor weather conditions, neither California Highway Patrol, Alpine and El Dorado County Sheriff's units were unsuccessful in locating the couple. According to police, due to the location in the mountains, Paula and Roderick had not received cell reception.

According to police, it wasn't until one of Lane's family members located the woman walking along Highway 88/89 sometime after 8:30 p.m. Clifton would be found sometime later. His cause of death has yet to be determined, according to authorities.

According to a police report, the 1989 Jeep Cherokee Lane and Clifton were travelling in became stuck in the snow while driving on Burnside Road near Highway 88/89. It is believed the couple slept inside their vehicle for at least one day after the vehicle became stuck, according to police.

"We've heard the couple was off four-wheel driving up the road they got stuck on," said Citrus Heights Police spokesman Bryan G. Fritsch.

Initial reports are that Clifton left the vehicle to seek help. However, Clifton never returned to the vehicle. Police say Lane eventually left the vehicle to seek help.

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