Two teens found shot dead in forest days into vacation
Two teenage friends have been found dead with gunshot wounds in a remote section of an American national forest less than a week into their summer vacation.
Police have launched a major investigation after the bodies of Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were discovered in Arizona's Tonto National Forest on May 27.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said the deaths are being treated as suspicious and have been listed as homicides.
'At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious,' Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said.
A spokesperson added: 'MCSO is seeking the community's assistance. If you have any information — no matter how small — that may be relevant to this case, we strongly encourage you to come forward. Your help could be critical in bringing answers and justice to the victims and their families. You may remain anonymous.'
Pandora and Evan became friends after attending the same high school together. Evan's mum Sandra Sweeney said she can't imagine a life without her 'funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial' son. Credit: GoFundMe
Their deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief from friends and family.
Evan's mum Sandra Sweeney said she can't imagine a life without her 'funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial' son.
'This last week, Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable,' Ms Sweeney said.
'I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him. It is a small comfort to share some things about this boy who was on his way to becoming a wonderful young man.'
'(He was) an old soul who was sensitive and loving. Pandora has been described as having a 'vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many'. Credit: GoFundMe
'Evan wrote me letters, the last of which he gave me on Mother's Day that was so touching it made me both laugh and cry. He was special. He deserved a long life.'
Pandora has been described as having a 'vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many'.
'She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special,' a GoFundMe set up to raise funds for her family stated.
'She loved music in all of its forms and enjoyed playing violin, cello and guitar. The outdoors is where she truly felt at home. She loved camping, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking with friends and family.'
Both Pandora and Evan's fundraisers have raised more than $20,000 USD for the teens' families.
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He was replaced on the ticket by Kamala Harris, who lost the election to Trump.
