Video: Florida Man, Missing Niece Found Dead in New Mexico at End of Two-State Chase
During the chase, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department told KRQE News 13 the suspects fired at deputies in pursuit. After several hours the chase ended after the suspects crashed their vehicle on a dead-end road.

Two people were found shot dead in their vehicle Monday after a police chase that started in Colorado and ended in Shiprock, N.M. Now, San Juan County (N.M.) Sheriff's Department deputies are trying to find out how those two suspects who fled from them ended up dead.
They were involved in a chase that started in Montezuma County Colorado at around 11 a.m. Monday.
Investigators said the two suspects stole gas in Cortez, Colorado then fled the scene.
During the chase, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department told KRQE News 13 the suspects fired at deputies in pursuit. After several hours the chase ended after the suspects crashed their vehicle on a dead-end road.
Deputies say when they finally approached the vehicle and busted out the car's windows they found both the male driver and female passenger dead.
The suspects have been identified as a Florida man and his missing 14-year-old niece.
Deputies say there is a possibility 31-year-old Benjamin James Edwards III was having a sexual relationship with the girl.
Officials said no officers fired at the vehicle during the pursuit.
They’re still trying to determine if the 14-year-old went willingly or was kidnapped.
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