Latest news with #TontoNationalForest
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Police Seek Answers in Fatal Shooting of Teen Campers in Arizona National Forest
Nearly a week after two teenagers were found fatally shot in what police believed to be homicides at a remote camping spot in Arizona, it was still not clear what had led to their deaths, deputies said on Monday. The teenagers — Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17 — were high school friends who just finished the 11th grade and had gone camping at Tonto National Forest after the end of the school year, according to relatives. On May 27, deputies in Maricopa County responding to a call found their bodies off State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson, Ariz., the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the medical examiner's office said on Monday. They 'lost their lives due to gunshot wounds,' a statement from the sheriff's office said. 'At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious,' the statement said, adding that they were treating the killings as homicides. Medical examiner's records said that Ms. Kjolsrud and Mr. Clark had died on May 26. There were no further details. A spokesman for the sheriff's office, Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, said in an email on Monday that the bodies were found near Mount Ord, a mountain in Tonto National Forest on the northeastern edge of the county. People camp in the wilderness in that area because there are no developed campgrounds. There was no further information on Monday as the homicide investigation continued, a separate statement from the sheriff's office said. Simone Kjolsrud said in a brief telephone conversation that her daughter had been a student at Arcadia High School in Phoenix. A representative for the family said in a statement that Pandora loved camping and being outdoors and that they were 'heartbroken' by her loss. Sandra Sweeney, Evan's mother, said in a phone call on Monday that her son had left for to the remote area on May 25 at the start of summer break at Arcadia High School. She added that after she did not hear from him for several days, she drove up to the mountain to search. 'I decided to go to the location where my son was, drove to the top and saw nothing,' she said. She learned on Tuesday that he had died, she said. Ms. Sweeney said she and her son were close. In his last letter to her on Mother's Day, he wrote: 'You are the best mother and I'm forever in debt and grateful to you.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Heading back from a trip up north? Southbound SR 87 closed due to a brush fire near Payson
Drivers heading back home from a weekend up north should be aware of a road closure on southbound State Route 87 south of Payson. The roadway was blocked at milepost 242 due to a brush fire, according to a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, from the Arizona Department of Transportation. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen, ADOT said. Tonto National Forest fire crews were working on the brush fire with no state resources available at the moment, according to Tiffany Davila with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Motorists can check the AZ511 app or call 511 to see real-time highway conditions. This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Traffic alert: Brush fire closes southbound SR 87 south of Payson
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Tragic mystery as 'beautiful' teen couple are found dead in remote national forest
Two teens in Arizona were mysteriously found dead from gunshot wounds in a remote national forest, leaving authorities on the hunt for answers. Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were found shot dead in the Tonto National Forest less than a week into their summer vacation on May 27. 'At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious' Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Sg.t Joaquin Enriquez said, Fox 10 reported. The sheriff's office furthered that a 'comprehensive' and 'meticulous' investigation would be conducted to 'ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones.' Friends of the pair created a memorial near Mount Ord where they would watch the sunset together, the outlet reported. A colleague of Clark's, Iara Rosales, 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.' Kjoslrud's mother, Simone, wrote on Facebook that her 'heart is shattered in a million pieces.' 'Rest in peace my beautiful girl,' she added. A GoFundMe for Kjoslrud said: '[Pandora] had 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.' Clark's mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son on another GoFundMe. 'Evan Clark was my only child and my beloved son,' she wrote. 'This last week Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable.' Sweeney said she is 'at a complete loss to imagine a life without him.' '[Evan] was funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial. He was an old soul who was sensitive and loving. 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.' A GoFundMe for Kjoslrud said: '[Pandora] had a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many' Kjoslrud and Clark were friends and both attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix. The school's principal, Dr. Janelle Danskey, said in a letter to the school community: 'It is with great sadness that I share heartbreaking news that two of our students have tragically passed away. 'Naturally, this death within our community impacts many of our staff, students and families.' The tragic murders have rocked the local community, as one told Fox 10: 'If there's something going on in the area - I'm here with a child - I'd like to know if we're safe.' 'Obviously respecting the people's families and not get into those personal details, but I would want to know how we can all be safe,' another said.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Teens Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, found dead in Arizona forest with gunshot wounds as cops probe deaths
TWO teenagers have been found shot dead in an Arizona national forest less than a week into their summer vacation. Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were found in Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord on May 27. 2 2 Both deaths, which were listed to May 26, have been listed as homicides by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. Cops are treating the circumstances around the pair's death as "suspicious", with Maricopa County Sheriff's Office revealing they suffered gunshot wounds. Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said: "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious." Both deaths, which were listed to May 26, have been listed as homicides by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. The deceased duo were friends who went to Arcadia High School in Phoenix. Their friends have made makeshift memorial near Mount Ord - a spot where the pair would often watch the sunset - according to Fox 10 Phoenix. Evan's coworker Iara Rosales said: "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." Fundraisers have been set up to help pay for the two teens' funerals. Kathryn Leonard, who has organised a GoFundMe for Pandora's funeral, wrote: "She had 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. "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. Evan's mother Sandra Malibu Sweeney said: "Evan Clark was my only child and my beloved son. "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 man." The tragic deaths have sparked concern in the area's hiking community. "If there's something going on in the area. I'm here with my child. I'd like to know if we're safe," one community member told Fox 10 Phoenix. Another said: "Obviously respecting the people's families and not get into those personal details, but I would want to know how we can all be safe."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community concerned after 2 Arcadia High School students were shot near Mount Ord
The Brief Two Arcadia High School students, Pandora Jewels-Rude and Evan Clark, were found shot to death in the Tonto National Forest. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the murders, which occurred during a camping trip near Mount Ord. Authorities have not stated if there is a threat to public safety, raising concerns within the Arcadia community. PHOENIX - New developments have emerged after two Valley teens were found dead following a weekend camping trip. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office now says the two teens were shot to death, and the community is responding to the murders. What we know Arcadia High School teenagers, 18-year-old Pandora Jewels-Rude and 17-year-old Evan Clark, were found shot to death in the Tonto National Forest on the morning of May 27. "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious," stated Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez. What they're saying "Who? Why? What? When?" asked one community member. "Tragic thing that happened, obviously. We got to find out who did it. That's the main thing." The Arcadia community is searching for answers after Pandora Jewels-Rude and Evan Clark were found dead near Mount Ord in the Tonto National Forest. Five days into summer break, the two victims were found shot to death. "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 community member asked. "It's shocking and really sad," another said. "It's unbelievable. Very distressing. Very distressing, because they're so young, their lives haven't even begun yet," a third added. Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies are now "conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation." FOX 10 has asked the Sheriff's Office if there is a concern for public safety in that area. They could not answer, saying it interferes with the investigation. "If there's something going on in the area. I'm here with my child. I'd like to know if we're safe," a community member stated. "I'm really concerned, very concerned," another said. "Obviously respecting the people's families and not get into those personal details, but I would want to know how we can all be safe," a resident commented. "It really makes me worry because I have nieces and nephews that age that something could happen to them," another person said. What we don't know No suspect information has been released. What you can do The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is asking people to come forward with any information, no matter how small, hoping they can bring answers and justice to these victims and their families. 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.
