New details are coming to light in the case regarding the mysterious deaths of two experienced hunters who disappeared while on a hunting trip in southern Colorado.
As per reports, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both, 25, went missing after embarking on an elk hunting trip in the Rio Grande National Forest.
The young men – both seasoned hunters – were last heard from on the afternoon of September 11. Porter, who had been checking in with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy, throughout the day, had shared his location, but then suddenly stopped responding.
A search was launched two days later, when deputies arrived at the trailhead after learning that the men had still not returned home. Their vehicle was located, with their hiking gear still inside – prompting concern given the inclement weather at the time.
In the midst of the search, Murphy told The Colorado Sun that the pair were ‘very prepared outdoorsmen’, but admitted to being worried.
“It depends on if they were in sound mind, if they were disoriented or panicked, or if they were already hypothermic. We’re just not sure,” Murphy, who was to marry Porter in a few months, said.
Tragically, the bodies of both men were recovered near the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead on Thursday (September 18), after a search lasting almost a week.
The Conejos County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two male bodies had been discovered at around 11am local time. Family members of the hunters have identified them as Porter and Stasko.
A sad update was given to donors of a GoFundMe page that had been set up by Porter’s aunt, confirming that the men had died.
“It is with a broken heart and through tears that I give you this update,” Lynne Runkle wrote.
“Andrew and Ian have both been found deceased. Their bodies were discovered earlier today by Colorado Search and Rescue. I will provide another update tomorrow.
“Please keep Andrew’s and Ian‘s families in your thoughts and prayers.”
At the time of writing, their cause of death remains unclear.
Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin, told ABC’s Denver 7: “There were no visible injuries on the bodies, nor were there any initial signs of foul play.”
Rest in peace.