Found Deceased CO - Megan Trussell, CU sudent, last seen in residence hall, FBI involved, 9 Feb 2025

[uteliaisuus]

Someone on reddit pointed out the similarities between this case and Emriel Krantz.

There's very little known about either case but it's remarkable on the surface how similar they are:
- Both were last seen within a short distance from a bike path
- Bodies both found near bike trails in the mountains
- Both were found off a steep embankment off a mountain road which there was no reason for them to have been
- They were within a few months of being the same age when they went missing

There's no write up here for Emriel that I could find.

 

[Lore Listener]

Well, Boulder County has ruled that:

"The Office of the Boulder County Coroner, based on the examination and investigative findings available at this time, has issued an opinion that Megan Trussell died as the result of the toxic effects of amphetamine, and exposure to a cold environment (hypothermia) contributed to her death. It is a further opinion, that the manner of death is Suicide." Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin stated, “Our opinion was based on several factors including but not limited to toxicology results and the presence of undigested prescription medication found during the examination.”

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Boulder County Coroner’s Office, has concluded its investigation into the tragic death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a student at the University of...

bouldercounty.gov

So far, MSM has not picked it up, but the family has stated their disagreement with these findings on various social media.

 

[NoSI]

Local Colorado news... Just published...

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/megan-trussell-death-parents-challenge-coroner-investigation-conclusion/73-083a7087-816f-4b83-8df7-54137a1ddf10

 

[Lore Listener]

Local Colorado news... Just published...

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/megan-trussell-death-parents-challenge-coroner-investigation-conclusion/73-083a7087-816f-4b83-8df7-54137a1ddf10

"result of both toxic exposure to amphetamines, noting the finding of undigested prescription medication in her system"

So she had her ADHD prescription in her stomach--undigested--and that was enough to be toxic?

Maybe someone who knows more about drugs can help me understand this, but I have never heard of someone attempting suicide by taking Adderall (brand name of amphetamine, more recognizable to some)? Wouldn't you be having a panic attack and be totally wired and full of energy long before it ever killed you? It doesn't seem like a quick, drowsy death by benzodiazepines or opioid painkillers as you'd think a suicidal person would prefer. Also, if it was undigested, how could it be toxic?

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1927758123923620256

 

[303gmf]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1927758123923620256

Desert? Oh no DM misleading that description

 

[Lore Listener]

Desert? Oh no DM misleading that description

It's funny because large sections of Colorado actually are considered "high desert." Not Boulder, though! <modsnip>

 

[303gmf]

It's funny because large sections of Colorado actually are considered "high desert." Not Boulder, though! <modsnip>

Yes! So much prairie too but not the canyon,<modsnip>

 

[Ghostwheel]

"result of both toxic exposure to amphetamines, noting the finding of undigested prescription medication in her system"

So she had her ADHD prescription in her stomach--undigested--and that was enough to be toxic?

Maybe someone who knows more about drugs can help me understand this, but I have never heard of someone attempting suicide by taking Adderall (brand name of amphetamine, more recognizable to some)? Wouldn't you be having a panic attack and be totally wired and full of energy long before it ever killed you? It doesn't seem like a quick, drowsy death by benzodiazepines or opioid painkillers as you'd think a suicidal person would prefer. Also, if it was undigested, how could it be toxic?

While I also question the results, could an overdose of Adderall have caused her to be hyper, thereby going out and walking all the way up that bike trail? It doesn't explain why she was found where she was found though. Hyper doesn't get you in a hard to reach location. Unless too hyper in a dangerous location? It all sounds so out there. And someone just happened upon her purse in that hard to get to location and stole it and it ended up off another bike trail? Nothing actually tracks.

 

[sunflowermomma]

MOO - I take adderall, I don't think it would make you "hyper" or want to go outside at a high dose...I feel like you would get heart palpitations and need to sit down. If I take my medicine on an empty stomach I get super nauseated and an elevated heart rate and shaky limbs, I imagine taking a higher than prescribed dose would have similar or worse effects.

Perhaps, if it was a suicide, she went outside so that she could avoid someone close to her finding her and she was hoping a stranger would find her instead? All MOO JMO.

 

[jillolantern]

the family has stated their disagreement with these findings on various social media.

Of course.

 

[jillolantern]

Larger doses of amphetamine may impair cognitive function.... Very high doses can result in psychosis (e.g., hallucinations, delusions and paranoia) which rarely occurs at therapeutic doses even during long-term use. Recreational doses are generally much larger than prescribed therapeutic doses and carry a far greater risk of serious side effects.

source: Amphetamine - Wikipedia

I think its fair to note that we don't know she had a prescription and, if so, we don't know what it was for. Comments related to Adderall seem to be speculation. Further, toxic amounts would seem to indicate a dose beyond that which would be prescribed. IMO

 

[Ghostwheel]

And once again, one of the reasons I understand why the family questions LE ability to get to the right answer. The family found the phone. Not LE. They didn't even really try if they couldn't find it at ecoATM. It's not brain surgery.
From the link posted above

https://www.9news.com/article/news/...usion/73-083a7087-816f-4b83-8df7-54137a1ddf10

 

[Lore Listener]

Larger doses of amphetamine may impair cognitive function.... Very high doses can result in psychosis (e.g., hallucinations, delusions and paranoia) which rarely occurs at therapeutic doses even during long-term use. Recreational doses are generally much larger than prescribed therapeutic doses and carry a far greater risk of serious side effects.

source: Amphetamine - Wikipedia

I think its fair to note that we don't know she had a prescription and, if so, we don't know what it was for. Comments related to Adderall seem to be speculation. Further, toxic amounts would seem to indicate a dose beyond that which would be prescribed. IMO

It's not speculation. The BSCO press release states:

"County Coroner Jeff Martin stated, “Our opinion was based on several factors including but not limited to toxicology results and the presence of undigested prescription medication found during the examination.” (BBM)

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Boulder County Coroner’s Office, has concluded its investigation into the tragic death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a student at the University of...

bouldercounty.gov

 

[NoSI]

Colorado state senator raises questions in death investigation of CU Boulder student

The death of Megan Trussell and the following investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office raised several concerns and exposed potential gaps in Colorado’s laws and policies, th…

www.denverpost.com

There was also an update from mom on the Go Fund Me page, but it looks like it was deleted.

 

[jillolantern]

It's not speculation. The BSCO press release states:

"County Coroner Jeff Martin stated, “Our opinion was based on several factors including but not limited to toxicology results and the presence of undigested prescription medication found during the examination.” (BBM)

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Boulder County Coroner’s Office, has concluded its investigation into the tragic death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a student at the University of...

bouldercounty.gov

How does prescription automatically equal amphetamine? How do we know what drug its supposed to be?

And it doesn't say SHE had a prescription, only that the drug is prescription as opposed to over the counter.

 

[SimplyCass]

How does prescription automatically equal amphetamine? How do we know what drug its supposed to be?

And it doesn't say SHE had a prescription, only that the drug is prescription as opposed to over the counter.

The Denver Post article linked to above clarifies this, that Megan was prescribed amphetamine for ADHD and it was found in her system. To quote:

-------
“The critical factor in determining the cause of death was the level of amphetamine found in her blood concentration, which represents the amount that had been metabolized in the body,” coroner’s officials said Thursday.

Vanessa Diaz, Trussell’s mother, told the Daily Camera the CU student was prescribed amphetamines to treat her ADHD.
-------

Since it quotes the coroner, I presume it was in their report but not mentioned in the press release.

Anyway...

Per Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), autopsy reports are public record. Boulder County autopsy report request if anyone is interested in requesting it.

 

[Planters]

Well, Boulder County has ruled that:

"The Office of the Boulder County Coroner, based on the examination and investigative findings available at this time, has issued an opinion that Megan Trussell died as the result of the toxic effects of amphetamine, and exposure to a cold environment (hypothermia) contributed to her death. It is a further opinion, that the manner of death is Suicide." Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin stated, “Our opinion was based on several factors including but not limited to toxicology results and the presence of undigested prescription medication found during the examination.”

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell

Conclusion of Investigation into the Death of Megan Trussell Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Boulder County Coroner’s Office, has concluded its investigation into the tragic death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a student at the University of...

bouldercounty.gov

So far, MSM has not picked it up, but the family has stated their disagreement with these findings on various social media.

i will say that amphetamines can definitely make someone do things that are totally out of character/seem really weird or unlikely (from experience). if you already have any pre-existing mental health issues especially anxiety, amphetamines can make you feel totally insane and out of control in a very scary way, and that can lead to suicidal thoughts. just my guess of what could have reasonably occurred here.
especially at age 18 when every event feels like it can make or break your life, and you're a freshman in college, i could see anxiety being heightened from that alone. add in amphetamines (the dosage of which we don't even know, but 20mg of adderall XR with 7.5mg IR for breakthrough is what i was on and is the usual beginner dosage from what my psych said). we dont know if she was prescribed these or bought them, or got them from a friend.

i will also say where she ended up still makes no sense to me even adding in the amphetamines.

 

[Planters]

"result of both toxic exposure to amphetamines, noting the finding of undigested prescription medication in her system"

So she had her ADHD prescription in her stomach--undigested--and that was enough to be toxic?

Maybe someone who knows more about drugs can help me understand this, but I have never heard of someone attempting suicide by taking Adderall (brand name of amphetamine, more recognizable to some)? Wouldn't you be having a panic attack and be totally wired and full of energy long before it ever killed you? It doesn't seem like a quick, drowsy death by benzodiazepines or opioid painkillers as you'd think a suicidal person would prefer. Also, if it was undigested, how could it be toxic?

There actually was a case I saw in the news a few years ago where a girl committed suicide in a park using adderall and left a note behind. I remember bc it gave me a nightmare. Cannot imagine purposely going out that way, it'd be horrific. Pure torture.

I didn't find the case I was looking for when Googling but I found this article from 2010. Adderall Abuse Alters Brain, Claims a Young Life

It's sad because these drugs truly do help many people through day to day life, but for some of us, there are terrible side effects.

EDITING to say according to her mother she was on the lowest dose of extended release adderall so that's 5mg!! not enough to act any type of way!! unless the undigested pills in her stomach were a whole lot of tthose.

 

[Planters]

Are we allowed to post her mother's social media on here or no? Her mom recently posted that Megan was found wrapped in a tarp... how did she wrap herself in a tarp!!! Tarp is mentioned in the 2nd article i post here! I find this case to be similar- The tragic and mysterious death of Zaria Hardee: Boulder's forgotten homeless teen

new news on megan's case-

Boulder Coroner's Office Agrees to Test Stomach Contents in CU Student Death Case - IssueWire

New testing ordered after family challenges suicide ruling of Megan Trussell

www.issuewire.com