Elderly couple found dead on isolated Alberta road

CALGARY – Authorities are reporting that an elderly couple who vanished last week following a birthday party at their Calgary home likely died after their car broke down on a secluded road outside the city.

The RCMP have not positively identified the man and woman found Wednesday night northwest of Calgary.

However, the man and woman, and their vehicle, fit the description of Allen Berrington, 90, and his wife Margaret, 91, who had not been seen since last Thursday.

"It’s simply a tragedy for the people and for the family," said RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb.

While the search for the Berringtons has ended, investigators are still trying to piece together why they ended up in such an isolated area. They were last seen last Thursday, when they hosted a birthday party for Margaret at their southwest Calgary home.

Two dirt bikers called police Wednesday evening after finding the woman’s body on a dirt road about 100 kilometres northwest of Calgary.

Travelling further along the road, they found a Chrysler Sebring sedan matching the description of the Berringtons’ car.

"It’s a very isolated and rugged area," Webb said, describing the road as "more like a quad trail."

When police arrived and began scouring the area, they found the man’s body about 10 metres from the woman.

Despite being so close to the woman, the man’s body wasn’t immediately found because it was down a small embankment, Webb said.

After examining the evidence, investigators believe the car broke down and the couple died trying to walk out of the area for help after waiting inside the car for an undetermined amount of time.

Investigators will do a mechanical inspection of the car, but right now it appears the couple became stuck when the car ran out of gas.

"At first blush, the fuel tank is empty," Webb said.

Although authorities have not determined the precise cause of death, they do not believe foul play was involved.

Family members initially thought the couple may have become lost after going for dinner at the Grey Eagle Casino on the Tsuu T’ina Nation, however, police viewed surveillance footage from the casino and determined they never went there.