2 teens killed northeast of Phoenix add to list of murders at campsites since 1970s
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the shooting deaths of two Phoenix area teenagers found dead near a campsite northeast of the Valley.
The two were shot and killed by an unknown assailant on May 26, their bodies found by deputies the next day, according to the families of the two victims.
Until investigators could identify a lead in the rapidly growing cold case, the two untimely deaths became part of Arizona's list of unsolved murder cases involving campers just beyond the Phoenix metro area.
Here's what we know about two past murder cases involving teenage victims — one in 1973, another in 2003 — and now, a third in 2025.
Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were found with gunshot wounds just off State Route 87 near Mount Ord, north of Sunflower, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, who found the bodies May 27.
Parents of the two victims told The Arizona Republic that the teenagers were on a planned camping trip.
An investigation remained ongoing, with the Sheriff's Office asking for the public's help in solving the case.
"Your help could be critical in bringing answers and justice to the victims and their families," said Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information about the case to call 602-876-TIPS (602-876-8477).
Since the early 1970s, at least six documented murders have involved young people who were shot while enjoying the outdoors just outside the Phoenix area.
In 2003, Lisa Gurrieri, 19, and Brandon Rumbaugh, 20, were shot and killed in a still-unsolved double homicide off a road near the Interstate 17.
The Scottsdale couple were found dead in the back of a pick-up truck parked off Bumble Bee Road near Black Canyon City, just north of Phoenix.
They were found lying inside their sleeping bags, each with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Investigators ruled out a murder-suicide, said there was no evidence of robbery or sexual assault, and that neither drugs nor alcohol were involved.
Family said the couple were celebrating a one year anniversary together.
Initially, they planned to go to Disneyland, but that was too pricey for the young couple, so they settled on a camping trip about 30 miles north of Phoenix off of I-17.
In March 1973, Shawn Jensen, shot and killed two teenagers picnicking northeast of Phoenix.
Kathy Kroger, 17, and James Burgoyne, 19, were killed when Jensen, a Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, had an alleged flashback and shot both of the teenagers in the head.
Just like Kjorsrud and Clark, the two teens killed in 1973 were students of Arcadia High School, according to KKTV 11.
Jensen was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the shooting, but his case later came under scrutiny by the American Civil Liberties Union.
According to the ACLU of Oklahoma, Jensen had tried to get help mental health treatment in the months prior to the shooting.
Since his imprisonment, Jensen was denied parole in both 2018 and 2019, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections. As of May 2025, he remains incarcerated in Eloy.
The Arizona Republic's Laurie Roberts and former reporter Jason Pohl contributed to this article.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Unsolved murders have happened before at Phoenix area campsites
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2 teens killed northeast of Phoenix add to list of murders at campsites since 1970s
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the shooting deaths of two Phoenix area teenagers found dead near a campsite northeast of the Valley. The two were shot and killed by an unknown assailant on May 26, their bodies found by deputies the next day, according to the families of the two victims. Until investigators could identify a lead in the rapidly growing cold case, the two untimely deaths became part of Arizona's list of unsolved murder cases involving campers just beyond the Phoenix metro area. Here's what we know about two past murder cases involving teenage victims — one in 1973, another in 2003 — and now, a third in 2025. Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were found with gunshot wounds just off State Route 87 near Mount Ord, north of Sunflower, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, who found the bodies May 27. Parents of the two victims told The Arizona Republic that the teenagers were on a planned camping trip. An investigation remained ongoing, with the Sheriff's Office asking for the public's help in solving the case. "Your help could be critical in bringing answers and justice to the victims and their families," said Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information about the case to call 602-876-TIPS (602-876-8477). Since the early 1970s, at least six documented murders have involved young people who were shot while enjoying the outdoors just outside the Phoenix area. In 2003, Lisa Gurrieri, 19, and Brandon Rumbaugh, 20, were shot and killed in a still-unsolved double homicide off a road near the Interstate 17. The Scottsdale couple were found dead in the back of a pick-up truck parked off Bumble Bee Road near Black Canyon City, just north of Phoenix. They were found lying inside their sleeping bags, each with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators ruled out a murder-suicide, said there was no evidence of robbery or sexual assault, and that neither drugs nor alcohol were involved. Family said the couple were celebrating a one year anniversary together. Initially, they planned to go to Disneyland, but that was too pricey for the young couple, so they settled on a camping trip about 30 miles north of Phoenix off of I-17. In March 1973, Shawn Jensen, shot and killed two teenagers picnicking northeast of Phoenix. Kathy Kroger, 17, and James Burgoyne, 19, were killed when Jensen, a Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, had an alleged flashback and shot both of the teenagers in the head. Just like Kjorsrud and Clark, the two teens killed in 1973 were students of Arcadia High School, according to KKTV 11. Jensen was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the shooting, but his case later came under scrutiny by the American Civil Liberties Union. According to the ACLU of Oklahoma, Jensen had tried to get help mental health treatment in the months prior to the shooting. Since his imprisonment, Jensen was denied parole in both 2018 and 2019, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections. As of May 2025, he remains incarcerated in Eloy. The Arizona Republic's Laurie Roberts and former reporter Jason Pohl contributed to this article. Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Unsolved murders have happened before at Phoenix area campsites
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