Dog found dead days after owners' bodies recovered in Gila County
Days after the bodies of a man and woman were recovered inside a vehicle in a Bear Flat Campground creek, the couple's missing dog was also found dead on Wednesday.
On March 23, the remains of Dara Sutton, 72, and Phon Sutton, 85, of Payson, were discovered 100 yards below the Bear Flat Crossing by a search and rescue team, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office. Their dog, Harriet, was found dead less than a week later after volunteers located the remains.
On March 22, search and rescue were working off a 7:42 a.m. 911 call about a vehicle seen in Tonto Creek at the crossing, according to the sheriff's office.The search and rescue operation took place approximately 18 miles east of the couple's city of residence, according to the sheriff's office. At one point, the sheriff's office described the couple's vehicle as a truck. The county agency said an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter was used in the search.
"Rescue efforts in the area are complicated and extremely dangerous due to the weather conditions and flooding," read a sheriff's office statement.
The couple's cause of death was unclear. On Friday afternoon, a sheriff's spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Come Wednesday, the Sutton's dog was found dead by a volunteer with Human Animal Rescue and Trapping Team, the sheriff's office said. A search and rescue team helped with the recovery of Harriet's remains, which have been returned to the Sutton family, the agency added.
"Unfortunately, the Gila County Sheriff's Office has limited resources when dealing with animal searches, and therefore relies on our volunteer groups and community members to assist," read a statement from the agency.
The couple was remembered as "beloved" parents to eight, grandparents to 14 and "great neighbors and trusted friends" in an obituary published Monday. Phon Sutton was a physician and a decorated war hero, while Dara Sutton did charitable work for the Child Crisis Center and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, according to the obituary.
"They died as they had lived for so many years: Together and in Bear Flat, Arizona, the place they loved the most," read the obituary. "All who knew them know that they were very kind, generous, and caring people. They will be dearly missed."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dog found dead after owners' bodies recovered in Gila County
