Latest news with #MaricopaCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 Teens Shot Dead on National Park Camping Trip
Authorities in Arizona are in the middle of a mysterious case involving two teens who were found shot to death on a popular national park camping site. According to multiple reports, 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and an unidentified 17-year-old male were found dead on May 27 off State Route 87 at Tonto National Forest. "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious," the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said Friday in a statement. As Fox 10 in Phoenix reported, the two teens left for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip, but they never returned. Friends and family have since set up a memorial overlooking a valley on the famed Camelback Mountain. It's reported that the two teens often visited the spot with friends to watch the this moment the MCSO is asking anyone with information to call them at 602-876-TIPS. At 2.9 million acres, Tonto National Forest is the largest of six national parks in Arizona. The park is famous for its hiking trails, Sonoran Desert Saguaro cacti, camp sites and expansive bike trails. These national parks are popular, especially this time a year. The teen's deaths come just days after authorities at another popular park, California's Sequoia National Park, continues searching for a woman who was swept away in a river following a trip with friends and family also on Memorial Day weekend. 2 Teens Shot Dead on National Park Camping Trip first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Pandora Kjolsrud and Evan Clark Deaths: What We Know as Teens Found Shot
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A murder investigation is underway after two teenagers were found dead with gunshot wounds in a remote section of central Arizona forest. The bodies of 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and Evan Clark, 17, were discovered in the Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord on May 27, although the story did not hit the news until Friday when police released further details. The teenagers attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix, around 64 miles to the southwest of the forest. The pair are thought to have died last Monday, and Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office reportedly listed both deaths as homicides. Sergeant Joaquin Enriquez, of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), has confirmed that police are investigating the "suspicious" deaths. Newsweek has reached out to the sheriff's office for further information and comment. The Tonto National Forest outside of Superior, Arizona. The Tonto National Forest outside of Superior, Arizona. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images Why It Matters Relatives and friends of the pair have been left reeling by the grim discovery, with both families paying tribute to the teenagers as they set up separate fundraisers to help finance their funerals. Kjolsrud was described as "a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many." She was a talented musician who "enjoyed playing violin, cello and guitar," the GoFundMe page set up for her family said. Clark was described on a separate GoFundMe site as "funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial," by his mother Sandra Malibu Sweeney. He had several passions including "going to concerts, photography, cars and trips to Malibu, CA," she said, adding that he "was on his way to becoming a wonderful man." What To Know The teenagers had set off for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip, but never came home, according to local news station Fox 10 Phoenix. Their bodies were found off State Route 87, which runs from Phoenix to Payson, north of Tonto forest, last Tuesday, with Enriquez releasing a brief statement to Fox 10 Phoenix on Friday, saying: "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious." He did not reveal further information about the crime or the investigation, which has sparked fear among Arizona's hiking community, according to the New York Post. Friends of the pair have now set up a memorial at a viewing spot on Camelback Mountain, where the group would often visit to watch the sunset together. What People Are Saying In a statement to Newsweek, the sheriff's office said: "The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is actively working this case, which involves two victims who tragically lost their lives due to gunshot wounds… "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." Iara Rosales, who worked with Evan Clark, told Fox 10: "You just cherish all the memories and the laughs. His life was cut very short, and so was Pandora's. They were very young, and it was just so sudden and a tragedy that you wouldn't even imagine." What Happens Next The fundraisers for the teenagers remain active, with both nearing their targets; a $30,000 goal for Kjolsrud's funeral expenses and $25,000 to help Clark's family. Both accounts have so far received around $22,000 in donations. In the meantime, the investigation into the deaths continues and anyone with information is urged to call Maricopa County Sheriff's Office at 602-876-TIPS.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Arizona's Maricopa County investigates possible homicide of two teenagers found shot in Tonto National Forest
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona is investigating the deaths of Pandora Kjolsrud , 18, and Evan Clark , 17, as a possible homicide after their bodies were discovered on Tuesday morning in a remote area of Mount Ord in the Tonto National Forest, between Mesa and Payson. The teens, Arcadia High School students, were found shot dead, prompting an investigation by the Sheriff's Office, who are asking for any information from the public to bring justice for the victims and their families. Officials are thoroughly examining the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of a homicide investigation . The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is coordinating with law enforcement partners. They are asking for patience and respect for the investigative process as they work through the facts. "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious," stated Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez. Arcadia High School students dead A representative for Kjolsrud told KNXV the family is "heartbroken to confirm the tragic loss of our beloved Pandora, whose life was taken from us far too soon." Kjolsrud's mother said her daughter was a "bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had an unusual ability to make every person she met feel special and loved." Live Events "She was a friend to many and a beloved daughter. She lived life in a big way and was always up for an adventure," her mother said. The two teens were students at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona. The school is providing a team of psychologists and counselors on campus to offer support and resources for students. No suspect information has been released. If anyone was near Mount Ord in the Tonto National Forest over Memorial Day weekend, you are asked to call MCSO at 602-876-TIPS, where you can remain anonymous.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
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.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Mystery as 'beautiful' teen friends found dead in forest just days into holiday
Friends Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were found dead in a national forest in the US state of Arizona just five days into their summer holiday, police have said Two teenagers were mysteriously found shot dead in a national forest just days into their summer holiday this week. The bodies of Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were discovered in the Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord in Arizona, US, on the morning of May 27. Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said police are treating their deaths as "suspicious" and an investigation is ongoing. The teens suffered fatal gunshot wounds and their deaths - dated May 26 - are listed as homicides. No suspect information has been released as of yet. Pandora and Evan were friends and attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix, which is located around 64 miles from the forest where they were found dead. Friends of the two victims have created a memorial near Mount Ord, where they would watch the sunset together, according to local reports. Meanwhile, their loved ones have paid tribute to the tragic teens, with Evan's mother, Sandra Sweeney, saying: "This last week, Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable. 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." In a tribute posted on GoFundMe, the heartbroken woman described her son as "funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial" and said he was "an old soul who was sensitive and loving." The mum added: "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 was described on a GoFundMe page as "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." According to the fundraiser, the young woman loved music and enjoyed playing violin, cello and guitar. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, doing activities like camping, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking with friends and family. Her grieving mother said she was heartbroken since learning about her daughter's death. "Rest in peace my beautiful girl," she wrote on Facebook. The mysterious circumstances of the pair's deaths have left the local community in disbelief with a person describing the tragedy as "shocking and really sad", according to Fox 10 Phoenix. Another said: "It's really scary that it's just so close to home and then their family. That's the next thing you think about. It's like, what are they going through? What happened to them? Are they going to get answers?" A third added: "It's unbelievable. Very distressing. Very distressing, because they're so young, their lives haven't even begun yet." One more said: "It really makes me worry because I have nieces and nephews that age that something could happen to them."
