Found Deceased CO - Andrew Porter & Ian Stasko, both 25, Missing while hunting San Juan Wilderness Area CO. 9/13/25. Vehicle Found.

[Black Diamond]

So sad to lose two young adventurous hunters like this.

 

[Knox]

My thoughts are with Ian and Andrew’s families tonight, what an unexpected tragedy.

Has LE released information regarding the circumstances yet?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Sincere condolences to their families and friends.

 

[TheMom77]

That is so sad. My heart goes out to their loved ones.

 

[AndrewM71]

My thoughts are with Ian and Andrew’s families tonight, what an unexpected tragedy.

Has LE released information regarding the circumstances yet?

Appears they got caught in heavy weather.

 

[sandmansc]

Appears they got caught in heavy weather.

What does "heavy weather" mean?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Heavy weather, like a severe storm or flash flooding.

 

[Black Diamond]

A statement from the coroner in this article, a little new information.

No obvious injuries, foul play in deaths of elk hunters in southern Colorado, authorities say

Autopsies are set for Monday for two elk hunters found dead a week after they went missing in the Rio Grande National Forest.

coloradosun.com

 

[Cedars]

Heavy weather, like a severe storm or flash flooding.

Yes, I think any kind of prolonged wet. They were at high elevation and so it's very cold at night and during bad weather. Once you/your clothes, etc get wet, it's very hard to warm up. One symptom of hypothermia is sleepiness/confusion, making it more likely to get lost, or just unable to keep going back to the vehicle.

JMO

 

[FoxxTraxx]

A statement from the coroner in this article, a little new information.

No obvious injuries, foul play in deaths of elk hunters in southern Colorado, authorities say

Autopsies are set for Monday for two elk hunters found dead a week after they went missing in the Rio Grande National Forest.

coloradosun.com

Interesting update. No evidence of foul play or injuries. They were 2 miles from the trailhead. If they were that far off the trail and got caught in a storm, then hypothermia seems likely.

Autopsies were expected to be conducted Monday in El Paso County, Martin said. Search and rescue teams found two unidentified bodies about 11 a.m. Thursday about 2 miles from the Rio de Los Pinos trailhead...

 

[Black Diamond]

Interesting update. No evidence of foul play or injuries. They were 2 miles from the trailhead. If they were that far off the trail and got caught in a storm, then hypothermia seems likely.

Autopsies were expected to be conducted Monday in El Paso County, Martin said. Search and rescue teams found two unidentified bodies about 11 a.m. Thursday about 2 miles from the Rio de Los Pinos trailhead...

I agree with hypothermia being very possible. It doesn't make sense in part though, that they didn't call for help with their Inreach once it became clear they were in trouble, if it was hypothermia. Prior reports were that they had an Inreach and it was not in the vehicle.

 

[GraceG]

Interesting update. No evidence of foul play or injuries. They were 2 miles from the trailhead. If they were that far off the trail and got caught in a storm, then hypothermia seems likely.

Autopsies were expected to be conducted Monday in El Paso County, Martin said. Search and rescue teams found two unidentified bodies about 11 a.m. Thursday about 2 miles from the Rio de Los Pinos trailhead...

Unfortunately, in hypothermia muscles keep working well long after the brain is affected so often the victims continue on to base, rather than try and shelter or find other means to get warm, not realizing just how much their core temperature is dropping. It can happen to very experienced outdoorsmen and women, as well as the novice. My thoughts go out to their families and especially the fiance of the one young man.

 

[doublestop]

Interesting update. No evidence of foul play or injuries. They were 2 miles from the trailhead. If they were that far off the trail and got caught in a storm, then hypothermia seems likely.

Autopsies were expected to be conducted Monday in El Paso County, Martin said. Search and rescue teams found two unidentified bodies about 11 a.m. Thursday about 2 miles from the Rio de Los Pinos trailhead...

Two miles from the trailhead doesn't mean two miles off the trail, though, just two miles from the access point.

 

[Knox]

I agree with hypothermia being very possible. It doesn't make sense in part though, that they didn't call for help with their Inreach once it became clear they were in trouble, if it was hypothermia. Prior reports were that they had an Inreach and it was not in the vehicle.

One thing they haven't said - did they find the InReach with the bodies and did it have battery?

In other similar cases I've followed, making a COD in Hypothermia is not easy.

 

[vls12345]

Hunters showed 'no obvious signs of trauma' when found dead in Colorado mountains

Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, disappeared last week in Conejos County. A nasty storm hit the area where they disappeared.

www.11alive.com

 

[LookingForClues]

Hunters showed 'no obvious signs of trauma' when found dead in Colorado mountains

Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, disappeared last week in Conejos County. A nasty storm hit the area where they disappeared.

www.11alive.com

Quite a few of my family members are hunters, including bow hunting. I wonder if they were still tracking the bull elk mentioned in other articles linked earlier. It's very easy to decide to keep tracking even after the weather worsens. Especially if they actually shot it and thought they'd find it nearby. I suspect they weren't expecting the weather to worsen to the point of turning from heavy rain to a snow blizzard.

 

[Cedars]

One thing they haven't said - did they find the InReach with the bodies and did it have battery?

In other similar cases I've followed, making a COD in Hypothermia is not easy.

That latest link above states "The Garmin did not communicate their whereabouts that day," but not clear yet why. It was found with their bodies.

 

[airportwoman]

Yes, I think any kind of prolonged wet. They were at high elevation and so it's very cold at night and during bad weather. Once you/your clothes, etc get wet, it's very hard to warm up. One symptom of hypothermia is sleepiness/confusion, making it more likely to get lost, or just unable to keep going back to the vehicle.

JMO

That and the altitude may have done them in. They did sound like very experienced outdoorsmen.

 

[Black Diamond]

Being only two miles from the trailhead, they should have been able to navigate their way out of it with proper use of a compass and basic knowledge of where they were. In the dark during a storm, with no navigation aid, finding a trail is like finding a needle in 100 haystacks. I have a feeling they were off trail hunting, got stuck in the storm, and then couldn’t find their way to a trail or road. With the weather conditions noted in the article, a stationary person is doomed out there without quality waterproof clothing or shelter. Even sitting by a fire isn’t enough when you’re soaked, it’s in the 30s, and it’s windy. In their situation with no tent and sleeping bags on them, you have to be able to navigate your way out when you’re wet and cold, without stopping.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Being only two miles from the trailhead, they should have been able to navigate their way out of it with proper use of a compass and basic knowledge of where they were. In the dark during a storm, with no navigation aid, finding a trail is like finding a needle in 100 haystacks. I have a feeling they were off trail hunting, got stuck in the storm, and then couldn’t find their way to a trail or road. With the weather conditions noted in the article, a stationary person is doomed out there without quality waterproof clothing or shelter. Even sitting by a fire isn’t enough when you’re soaked, it’s in the 30s, and it’s windy. In their situation with no tent and sleeping bags on them, you have to be able to navigate your way out when you’re wet and cold, without stopping.

I completely agree with your with analysis. Also @airportwoman mentions the change in elevation could be a factor. I live in Colorado and a change in elevation still affects me. Feeling lightheaded, a headache, and feeling tired are common symptoms.

I summarized all the possible factors that added up to disaster:

• Weather changed drastically from sunny and 70 to drenching rain, hail, and lightning
• They left all their gear in the car, including flashlights
• They were missing 24 hours or more before anyone knew there was a problem
• They got lost, started to make bad decisions, and got even more lost
• No one knew exactly where they were - only a general idea
• They may have already been tired from the long drive to get there
• The electronic equipment (Garmin, cellphones) may have failed
• It got dark sooner than they exected. (They were from a different time zone)
• They had inadequate food and drink. Got dehydrated and hungry
• There are black bears in this area. Maybe a bear sighting threw off their plans
• One of both fell ill or injured. (The autopsies may uncover this)