Missing Nevada Couple Found, Only One Survivor

Dec. 6, 2012— -- A Nevada couple missing for a week in the California mountains after their vehicle became stuck following a sudden snow storm have been found, the woman survived the ordeal, but her boyfriend died, police said.

Paula Lane, 46, and Roderick Clifton, 44, were reported missing on Nov. 29, after they left Clifton's mother's home in Citrus Heights, Calif., on their way home to Nevada.

The couple are believed to have taken their Jeep off-roading when they became stranded off Highway 88/89 in the Sierra Nevada mountains, police said.

"They spent that first day, and slept, in the vehicle before Roderick left to go find help, but he never came back," said Bryan Fritsch, a spokesman for the Citrus Heights police department.

Police said they were unable to locate the couple using their cell phones because of limited mobile service high in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

A massive manhunt across two states was launched to find the couple, who routinely made the drive from California to Gardnerville, Nev., where they lived.

When Clifton did not return, several days later, Lane set out to find help. She was found Wednesday by a relative, among others searching for the couple, along the highway in Alpine County, Calif.

Investigators do not yet know how Lane survived or whether she had food. She was taken to the hospital with some injuries, none of which are life threatening.

Clifton's body was found several miles from the highway. Police have not yet confirmed how Clifton died, but police do not believe foul play was involved.