FBI tip led to bodies of father, kidnapped 2-year-old girl

The bodies of kidnapped 2-year-old Madeline Samaan-Fay and her father were found by local authorities at a remote property the father owned, officials said.

Authorities plan to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the two, who were found in the father's SUV in the Grizzly Flats section of El Dorado County.

The kidnapping of Madeline prompted a statewide Amber Alert. Authorities believed she was snatched by her father, Mourad Samaan, after he learned his ex-wife had gained full custody of the girl.

Officials said they went to the area after a tip from the FBI.

The FBI "requested we do a search of a large piece of property in our area,"  Lt. Bryan Golmitz of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department told the Sacramento Bee.

"When we did that, we located the vehicle," he said.

According to Fox 40 San Diego, Madeline was abducted last Sunday, but because of rules involving abductions by parents, an Amber Alert was not issued until Friday.

At that point, officials said they came to fear for the girl's life.

They were last seen Aug. 7 on a store videotape.

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-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Madeline in family photo.  Credit: Fox 40 Sacramento.