Lightning Confirmed as Cause of Death for Two Colorado Hunters

Authorities in Colorado have determined that lightning likely caused the deaths of two hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasco. The Connejos County Coroner, Richard Martin, shared his findings with various media outlets, stating that the circumstances around their deaths remain unclear.

“It’s like you’re alive, and then—just like that,” Martin mentioned, noting the suddenness of such incidents. “It’s incredibly quick.” The two men were discovered beneath a tree, each exhibiting minor burns on their bodies.

They were reported missing after failing to contact family members on September 11, with the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office being alerted two days later. Martin described the burns as faint, resembling minor injuries from contact with a heated surface.

Porter, originally from Asheville, North Carolina, and Stasco from Salt Lake City, Utah, were reported to have been hunting moose in the San Juan Wilderness Area. Their vehicle was located at the start of the Los Pinos Trail, along with camping gear and backpacks, which raised concerns about their safety given the poor weather conditions.

There’s been some speculation about satellite devices they had, which reportedly were not functioning, according to Porter’s aunt, Lynn Landcle.

In total, more than 54 search and rescue teams engaged in efforts to locate the missing hunters, emphasizing the difficulties posed by heavy rains and adverse weather. As of now, a GoFundMe page set up to support the families has raised nearly $79,000.