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Hunters Found Dead in Southern Colorado Were Struck by Lightning: Coroner
Two 25-year-old elk hunters died after a lightning strike hit nearby, causing fatal injuries without direct contact, officials said following a weeklong search in rugged terrain.
- Two 25-year-old hunters, Andrew Porter from North Carolina and Ian Stasko from Utah, were discovered deceased on September 18, 2025, near a trailhead in Conejos County, Colorado.
- The two men vanished while elk hunting west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir, close to the Colorado-New Mexico state line, and their last known contact was on September 11 during intense storms impacting the region.
- Search efforts began after deputies found their vehicle with gear on Sept. 13 and involved multiple teams who searched a remote, high-elevation area where the men had camped since Sept. 7.
- Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin confirmed the men died from a lightning strike, possibly caused when lightning hit a tree and traveled to their bodies despite no visible injuries or burns.
- These fatalities underscore the risks posed by sudden storms at high altitudes in Colorado, where lightning results in approximately two fatalities and a dozen injuries each year, highlighting the importance of vigilance even for those who are experienced and well-prepared.
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Missing elk hunters were killed by lightning that struck nearby tree: Official
Conejos County Sheriff’s Office (CONEJOS COUNTY, Colo.) — Two elk hunters found dead last week were killed when a tree they were standing near was struck by lightning, a coroner confirmed to ABC News. The two bodies found near the Colorado-New Mexico border last week have officially been identified as Andrew Porter, 25, and Ian Stasko, 25, Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin told ABC News. The bodies were found Sept. 18 after a dayslong searc…
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Total News Sources67
Leaning Left3Leaning Right6Center46Last UpdatedBias Distribution84% Center
Bias Distribution
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C 84%
11%
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