Overview

• The victims were Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, who disappeared Sept. 11 and were found Sept. 18 about two miles from the Rio De Los Pinos trailhead in the South San Juan Wilderness.
• Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin said the men were likely affected by a lightning-related electrical surge, not a direct strike, with only small burn marks and slight singeing of hair observed.
• Searchers located the bodies close together under a tree, and investigators reported no significant injuries and no signs of foul play.
• The recovery followed a large multi-state operation that deployed ground teams, aircraft, K‑9 units, drones and volunteers from more than 50 professional search-and-rescue groups.
• Authorities and family accounts noted the hunters’ satellite device last pinged from their vehicle, no emergency beacon was activated, and the men were found clothed with one small daypack and a bow but no firearm.