Two brothers charged with the murder of missing Washington couple are spotted in Mexico after two weeks on the run

  • John Reed, 53, and Tony Reed, 49, were spotted in Mexico, police said
  • Cops believe suspects may have used cell phone to call friend in Phoenix
  • The brothers were charged with murder of missing Washington couple
  • Monique Patenaude, 46, and Patrick Shunn, 45, went missing mid-April
  • Police presume the two Arlington residents have been killed 

Two brothers charged with murder in the presumed killing of a missing Washington state couple have been spotted in Mexico, and authorities are seeking the records of a cellphone they believe was recently used by one of them.

Search warrant records filed Monday by sheriff's investigators in Snohomish County Superior Court say several sightings of 53-year-old John Blaine Reed and 49-year-old Tony Clyde Reed in Mexico have been reported as recently as April 21, the Seattle Times reported.

Records also show investigators got a warrant for data for an iPhone used to make two unanswered calls on April 17 to a friend of the brothers in Phoenix. 

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John Reed, 53
Tony Reed, 49

John Reed, 53, left and brother Tony,  49, right, are being hunted over the disappearance of a Washington couple. Authorities say the two brothers were spotted in Mexico

Investigators believe Tony Reed fled with his brother to Ellensburg and then Mexico after killing Patrick Shunn, 45, and his wife, Monique Patenaude, 46 (pictured). Neighbors reported Shunn and Patenaude missing on April 12 when their livestock was left unattended

Neighbors reported 45-year-old Patrick Shunn and 46-year-old Monique Patenaude missing on April 12

The calls were made to the friend, described in records as a former Arlington, Washington, resident, after the Reeds 'fled his place' on their way to Mexico.

The friend, who hasn't been charged with any crimes, allegedly gave the brothers $500 cash and an Acura.

Last month investigators questioned a woman who lived with Tony Reed in Ellensburg, Washington, who couldn't find her iPhone. 

Investigators say that was the phone used by the brothers and that data from it could help lead them to the Reeds by tracking their movements.

'I also believe this is a phone number that Tony and John are still using today (April 28th, 2016), while avoiding apprehension and the records requested will assist law enforcement in identifying their current location,' Snohomish County Sheriff's Detective Brad Walvatne wrote in court documents.

Documents do not give details of the sightings in Mexico.

Patenaude was last seen near the couple¿s home around 1pm on April 11
Family members say the couple's cell phones have been turned off

The couple's vehicles were found on April 14 after being dumped over an embankment. Police believe the two are dead

The couple's wrecked cars were found in woods about four miles from their home

Shunn and Patenaude went missing in mid-April. Their wrecked cars were found in woods around four miles from their home and police announced they believed the pair had been killed

This satellite image shows the homes of the missing couple and John Reed, who remains at large. Police continue to seek tips on his whereabouts. Earlier this month the Reed brothers were reportedly spotted in Mexico, according to officials 

This satellite image shows the homes of the missing couple and John Reed, who is a suspect in the couple's presumed murder along with his brother, Tony Reed 

Neighbors reported 46-year-old Monique Patenaude and 45-year-old Patrick Shunn missing on April 12.

Their vehicles were found on April 14 after being dumped over an embankment. Detectives concluded the couple had been killed after they searched the vehicles and the home where John Reed recently lived.

Snohomish County Sheriff's spokeswoman Shari Ireton has said she did not have information about any issues between John Reed and Patenaude and Shunn. But she noted that others had said there was a property dispute.

Other records filed Monday include court orders freezing bank accounts of the brothers' parents, whom authorities say were given at least $96,000 in cashier's checks by John Reed.

Recently obtained warrants allow investigators to search wells and other areas of the missing couple's property and Reed's former land. Investigators have received approval to search another neighbor's property where detectives previously recovered a shotgun and all-terrain vehicle apparently left by John Reed.

Another warrant allows detectives to recover evidence from the ATV that authorities say the brothers may have used when disposing the couple's bodies.

No records have been filed showing if any evidence has been recovered as a result of the searches.