Two Missing Elk Hunters Found Dead in Southern Colorado Wilderness

Two Missing Elk Hunters Found Dead in Southern Colorado Wilderness

Two young hunters who vanished during an elk hunting trip in southern Colorado have been found dead after an intensive week-long search. Authorities confirmed the bodies of Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah—both 25—were discovered Thursday morning by Colorado Search and Rescue teams.

According to a release from the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office, the men were found around 11 a.m., roughly two miles from the Rio de los Pinos trailhead in a remote stretch of the National Forest. The area is marked by steep ridgelines, heavy timber, and challenging terrain. Officials reported that the bodies showed no obvious signs of trauma. An official cause of death is pending an autopsy.

The pair had last been in contact on September 11, when Porter shared his location via satellite device with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy. The device later pinged from his car parked near the trailhead. In earlier updates, family members expressed hope the men had returned briefly to change out of wet clothing, but worsening weather may have played a role in their disappearance.

Loved ones described both Porter and Stasko as experienced outdoorsmen, familiar with survival skills and backcountry navigation. Severe storms were reported in the area during the time they were missing, raising speculation they may have been caught off-guard by conditions.

The heartbreaking discovery has left families and friends grieving while investigators work to confirm what led to the tragedy.