AZ-Pandora Kjolsrud, 18 and Evan Clark, 17-Found shot to death in Maricopa County -May 27, 2025

[Cryptic]

Hope LE are on the trail of whoever killed Pandora and Evan.

I suspect that it may depend on whether the killer was known to the victims or not. A motive stemming from "stole my gf / bf" drama should be easier to run down.

But... a random thrill killer, or a drug addled shooter reacting to a minor "diss" might be far harder to identify.

Parks can have tightly controlled parking, entry points etc. Forests, on the other hand, are alot more lenient. Though it may be good to try to identify people who used common parking areas, people can generally park where they want, then start going where they want a foot, on dirt bikes, bikes etc. with little to no over sight.

The end result, can get vast areas, few to relatively few people and a large number and means of entrances and exits.

 

[Bipolar Express]

The photos shared on both of the crowd funding sites are so sad. Truly seem like great kids. Heartbroken for these two Moms.

Hope LE are on the trail of whoever killed Pandora and Evan.

One description from family about Pandora said she never passed a dog she didnt say hi too. That right there tells me all I need to know

 

[Chimera]

The area where they were found is apparently a National Forest.

Unlike National Parks, where Rangers actively enforce strict limitations on camping and also actively patrol for people who have become "de facto" squatters, limitations on camping in National Forests and enforcement of these limitations can be more relaxed.

As a result, there is more potential for squatters in National Forests. Forest Rangers maybe a good place for investigators to start.

My guess is that they would have general information on "extended stay" types and would also have records of complaints if other visitors had been say, harassed / intimidated, or if an extended stay type was "claiming" a portion of the forest etc.

A roaming squatter person hanging around our tent would scare me a hundred times more than any critter or even larger animal !
You'd have no idea if they were harmless or not, and they could wait it out ... until you went to sleep.
There are stories of people being robbed while out camping.
Who knows if this young pair met the wrong type of person ?

Hoping LE are getting leads.
Imo.

 

[technicallymissing]

A roaming squatter person hanging around our tent would scare me a hundred times more than any critter or even larger animal !
You'd have no idea if they were harmless or not, and they could wait it out ... until you went to sleep.
There are stories of people being robbed while out camping.
Who knows if this young pair met the wrong type of person ?

Hoping LE are getting leads.
Imo.

Totally… the horror story of what happened to poor Dustin Kjersem is always in my head now whenever someone is killed or goes missing camping/in a rural place

 

[EnigmaticEpiphany]

My guess is a hunter was in the area and probably drinking. Saw two young people together and got jealous and shot them. If the bodies were just lying in the open, that would lend more credit to my theory because the killer didn't bother to hide them (because he was intoxicated.)

 

[Cryptic]

My guess is a hunter was in the area and probably drinking. Saw two young people together and got jealous and shot them.

I agree with the jealous rage possibility. But....

A hunter in a jealous rage, however, maybe less likely as its not hunting season. Even considering that some species are always in season, and that some poachers don't care about designated hunting seasons, there are just not a lot of hunters going out at this time.

Hunter, or no hunter, the core "jealous rage" possibility makes sense. I would just substitute "squatter", "hiker" or "target shooter" for "hunter".

 

[EnigmaticEpiphany]

I agree with the jealous rage possibility. But....

A hunter in a jealous rage, however, maybe less likely as its not hunting season. Even considering that some species are always in season, and that some poachers don't care about designated hunting seasons, there are just not a lot of hunters going out at this time.

Hunter, or no hunter, the core "jealous rage" possibility makes sense. I would just substitute "squatter", "hiker" or "target shooter" for "hunter".

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

[Bipolar Express]

My guess is a hunter was in the area and probably drinking. Saw two young people together and got jealous and shot them. If the bodies were just lying in the open, that would lend more credit to my theory because the killer didn't bother to hide them (because he was intoxicated.)

Hmmm like an Incel?

 

[Knox]

“I decided to go to the location where my son was, drove to the top and saw nothing,” Sandra Sweeney, Evan’s mother, said in a phone interview on Monday.

The authorities determined that the teenagers, whose bodies were found off State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson, Ariz., had died on May 26.

“At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, adding that they were treating the killings as homicides.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/us/arizona-teenagers-shot-forest.html

Wonder exactly how LE determined they died in Monday? Eye witness who saw them, cell phone activity, health data Apple Watch?

 

[Bipolar Express]

This case brings to mind 18 year old Parker who was found deceased in the same county in the same month 2 years ago.

 

[Dotta]

"Tragic mystery as teen friends are found dead in remote national forest."​

Mystery as teen friends are found dead in remote national forest

A tragic mystery ensued after a teenage duo in Arizona were found dead from gunshot wounds in a remote national forest.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[legomonster]

I'm surprised this case isn't being talked about as much. If it indeed was a stranger or drifter it would put the area in more danger. Anyone familiar with this area or if there have been any crimes?

 

[legomonster]

Looked up a few unsolved murders near Evan and Pandora this year. I need a break from work.

(A) Emily Pike. Last known sighting of 14-year-old Emily Pike, who was last seen near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road in Mesa was on Jan. 27, 2025. Deputies say the disturbing discovery of Emily was made off the U.S. 60 highway, a few miles away from the Jackson Butte Recreation area, which is about 19 miles from Globe, on Feb. 14. Grapic details: Detectives found the head and torso in large contractor trash bags and the legs were found in separate bags. GCSO said that after searching the area, detectives couldn’t find the arms and hands. The preliminary autopsy results found the girl had visible face and head trauma. FBI is involved.

(B) William "Bill" Schonemann, 76, was found dead inside his New River home on April 28, 2025 at around 7:30 p.m near 13th Avenue and Circle Mountain Road. He was a well-known pastor at New River Bible Chapel. Multiple sources say he was found on the bed with his arms spread out and hands pinned to the wall. He also appeared to have significant injuries.

From the last known sighting of Emily Pike to William Schonemann's home address is a 55 minute drive. From Schonemann's address to around area the two teenagers were found, Evan Clark and Pandora Kjolsrud is around an hour and a half drive.

 

[MissMYB]

Tonto Forest is where Robert Fisher disappeared into..........

 

[Knox]

This case brings to mind 18 year old Parker who was found deceased in the same county in the same month 2 years ago.

I mentioned Parker in a previous post, there is a thread for him. His killer still hasn’t went to trial.

 

[DropthePuck]

This reminds me of the unsolved case of Lisa Gurrieri and Brandon Rumbaugh. They were killed in 2003 while camping off Bumble Bee Road in Yavapai County, AZ. They were sleeping in the bed of his pick up truck and someone shot them during the night.

 

[Knox]

This reminds me of the unsolved case of Lisa Gurrieri and Brandon Rumbaugh. They were killed in 2003 while camping off Bumble Bee Road in Yavapai County, AZ. They were sleeping in the bed of his pick up truck and someone shot them during the night.

Wow still unsolved after all these years? Is there a thread for that case?

 

[Cedars]

“At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious,”

No kidding...or are LE not convinced it was foul play?

 

[Knox]

No kidding...or are LE not convinced it was foul play?

I’m assuming whatever evidence was found at the scene, eliminated the possibility of M/S and indicates Pasora and Evan were murdered.

 

[Cedars]

I’m assuming whatever evidence was found at the scene, eliminated the possibility of M/S and indicates Pasora and Evan were murdered.

Yes, but they've not come out and said that.

"At this time" means they might change their minds later.

"being treated as suspicious" doesn't mean they are suspicious, just "being treated" that way.

This was published in the New York Times 2 days ago...to me, it indicates they have doubts or they wouldn't be hedging their comments like that...