It was supposed to be a weekend hunt—just two friends, elk country, and the great outdoors. Instead, nearly a week after they were last heard from, the bodies of two 25-year-old outdoorsmen were discovered in the rugged backcountry of southern Colorado. No obvious signs of injury, no easy answers yet—and a tragedy that’s raising more questions than comfort.

Here’s what we know so far, what authorities are investigating, and why this might be a warning tale for anyone who ventures off the beaten path.

Who They Were & Where They Were

The hunters, Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah, were both 25 years old and described by family and friends as experienced outdoorsmen. They had been preparing for this elk-hunting trip for months and seemed confident in their gear, their skills, and their plans.

Their last confirmed contact was on September 11, when Porter used a satellite device to share his location with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy. Until then, he had been sending updates every few hours. By September 13, concerns grew when their vehicle was found at the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead, with backpacking gear, camping supplies, and wet clothes inside—but the two men were nowhere in sight.

The Search That Became a Tragedy

Once it was clear they were overdue, a large search operation was launched. Authorities and volunteers scoured the area using everything from ground teams to drones. It was rugged terrain—dense forests, steep ridges, harsh elevation, and unpredictable weather.

Storms had moved through the area around the time Porter last messaged his fiancée. Heavy rain, wind, and dropping temperatures are believed to have created dangerous conditions. Despite their preparation, no one can say for sure if those weather elements played a decisive role—whether disorientation, exposure or something else was the final factor.

When the Worst Becomes Reality

On September 18, search teams located two bodies near the Rio De Los Pinos trailhead, discovered at about 11 a.m. local time. The bodies were taken by the coroner, but no visible injuries or signs of foul play were found.Autopsies were scheduled to determine cause of death.

Because the location was federal land, anything pointing to trauma would have triggered a federal investigation—but with no such signs, it remains under state and local jurisdiction for now.

What Might Have Happened

Since there were no obvious wounds or outward signs of violence, investigators and family are considering several possibilities:

Exposure: With heavy rain, possibly cold nights, wet clothes—conditions that can lead to hypothermia quickly. Even experienced hikers can be caught off guard.
Disorientation or Panic: In rugged, unfamiliar terrain, even a trained outdoorsman can get lost, especially under poor visibility or after a storm. Wet gear, steep terrain, and cold nights amplify the risk.
Medical Event: It could be something sudden—heart issue, slipping, or other non-traumatic medical challenges aggravated by conditions.
Environmental Factors: Lightning, falling trees, flash flooding—elements that might leave little trace yet be deadly.

Family members have stressed that both men were well-prepared and in good physical condition. That suggests whatever claimed their lives acted fast and under harsh conditions.

The Human Side: Loved Ones and Hopes

For Andrew Porter’s fiancée, Bridget Murphy, this was no ordinary trip. She had been planning their wedding in just a few months. In her last updates before news broke, she shared hopes, fear, and the raw pain of waiting. “I will not stop until we find you,” she said. The loss weighs heavy.

Andrew’s aunt, Lynne Runkle, helped organize a GoFundMe campaign to assist with search efforts. She later shared the heartbreaking message that both men were found deceased—asking for privacy and prayers.

What Remains Unclear

There are still many unknowns:

What was the exact cause of death? Autopsies may reveal hypothermia, medical emergencies, or something environmental.
Did they attempt to make their way back to the trailhead after the storm? Did they shelter somewhere? Did equipment failure or navigation issues worsen the situation?
What role did weather play—especially at night? Wet clothing and cold conditions can accelerate hypothermia.
Were there any injuries we might not easily see? Scrapes, internal trauma, or effects of cold might leave subtle signs.

Lessons From the Wilderness

This tragedy underscores how dangerous the backcountry can be—even for those experienced. It reminds all of us:

Always prepare for sudden weather changes—pack rain gear, extra warm clothing, dry clothes.
Let someone know your exact plan and check in at predetermined times. Satellite devices help—but only if battery power and signal hold up.
Know exit routes and safe harbors, especially in terrain you’re unfamiliar with.
Don’t underestimate how fast conditions can change—and how fast exposure can become deadly.

Final Thoughts

Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko were young, skilled, and well-loved. Their story is one of risk, adventure, and unexpected loss. The wilderness that calls many of us to its beauty can also be unforgiving when things go wrong—and last week’s storms likely tipped the balance when time and help were not kind allies.

As the families await autopsy results, many are already honoring their memories—sharing tales of kindness, of love for the outdoors, of young lives full of promise. And while questions remain, one fact is certain: this tragedy will stay with Arizona’s forests, with southern Colorado, and with all who hear their story.

May they rest in peace. May the lessons learned protect others. And may all who venture into the wilderness do so with respect—for the land, for plans, and for the unexpected.