What began as a carefree Memorial Day weekend trip into the wilds of Arizona ended in tragedy that has shaken a community and left investigators searching for answers in the deep silence of the Tonto National Forest.
Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, both students at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, set out on May 25 to camp in a remote, rugged section of Mount Ord. Newly finished with their junior year and filled with the hopefulness of summer ahead, the two high school sweethearts were looking forward to a peaceful getaway among the forest's pines.
However, concern began to mount when neither teen's family heard from them over the weekend. Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, retraced her son's path, eventually driving to the top of Mount Ord searching for her son and Pandora, but found nothing.
On May 27, just days after they set out, authorities made a heartbreaking discovery: Pandora and Evan’s bodies were found with gunshot wounds at a secluded campsite often chosen by those seeking solitude. The Gila County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both deaths are being treated as homicides, and foul play is strongly suspected. Police believe the teens were killed on May 26, just one day after their arrival.
No arrests have been made, and law enforcement has disclosed little information. Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office stated, “At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious.”
In the aftermath, the Arizona community has been shaken. Friends, classmates, and even strangers have filled social media with tributes and memories. Two GoFundMe pages have been launched in support of the grieving families.
Evan’s mother described him as “my only child and my beloved son,” and wrote of the “insurmountable” grief she feels. She remembered Evan as funny, bright, kind, and entrepreneurial, noting that he had given her a touching letter on Mother’s Day.
Pandora’s family remembered her as someone who would illuminate every room she entered and whose love for animals and people stood out, describing her as having “a vivacious personality with an infectious smile.” She was known for making everyone feel uniquely special.
While investigators continue their search for answers, the story of Pandora and Evan is a somber reminder of how quickly joy can turn to sorrow, and how fragile life truly is. The community mourns the loss of two promising young lives and hopes that justice will come soon.
Source: https://teknolojibura.com/two-teens-found-dead-in-us-national-forest-after-camping-trip/