ST. TAMMANY – Two bodies were recovered from a Pearl River boat launch area Monday afternoon and have been positively identified as two missing friends from Pearl River, the St. Tammany Parish Coroner says.
The bodies have been identified as 20-year-old Raegan Day and 28-year-old Dustin Hartline. They were last seen Feb. 15 in Pearl River on their way to Kenner before heading to a doctor’s appointment in Baton Rouge. The two were in Day’s dark blue 2011 Chevy Camaro when they were last seen.
Their bodies were recovered in the area of the East Pearl River Boat Launch on Highway 90 on Monday afternoon.
Around 5 p.m. a car matching the description of Day's was pulled from the water and the coroner was on the scene.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office says the matter is now being investigated as a double homicide.
Sheriff Randy Smith said that investigators do have leads on possible suspects.
"It’s not the outcome we wanted for the family and we are just glad that we can bring some closure to the family. It’s an active investigation. We do have some leads and some suspects and tips that we are following up on," Smith said.
Hartline's mom, Stephanie Heaphy, spoke with Eyewitness News about it.
"The last time the phone went off was shortly after I spoke with him," she said. "And then about 12:30-1:00 there was no more signal on the phone and the last signal was somewhere in Slidell."
For days family and friends did what they could to find their loved-ones, all while investigators say they did the same. After several days of authorities and divers investigating ponds and other waterways, a tip came in which led them near the Mississippi/Louisiana state line Monday.
"We've been following leads and tips in the sheriff's office following up on every single one," said Smith.
With the focus now on finding those responsible, Smith adds his deputies will work to bring the families justice.
"We weren't going to give up until they were located," Smith said. "And we won't quit until we have somebody charged for this crime."
Authorities say they have some leads and tips they're still looking into and if anyone has information to call their Department at 985-898-2338.
The coroner says autopsies will be performed Tuesday.
Stay with Eyewitness News on WWL-TV and WWLTV.com for more on this developing story.