2 bodies found near rural road tied to Albuquerque case

Authorities say two bodies found along a rural stretch of Santa Fe County are linked to an Albuquerque investigation.

A Santa Fe County Sheriff’s spokesman said Thursday that Albuquerque police will take over as the lead agency investigating the case. But he did not provide further information on the investigation.

The two people – whose bodies were found in Stanley, more than 40 miles east of Albuquerque – have not been identified.

Authorities say both victims were male.

A rancher who had discovered one of the bodies in a garbage container along a road near his home had told news outlets earlier this week that the victim was a woman. Sheriff’s deputies found the second body about 2 miles away.

Both have been sent to the state Office of the Medical Examiner.