Lightning strike ruled as instant death in Colorado hunters' deaths, coroner says

A lightning strike has been ruled the preliminary cause of death for two 25-year-old hunters in Colorado, Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin said. The coroner described the death as instantaneous, telling The Colorado Sun that the event was “like you’re alive, and now you’re not. Just that quick. Split second.” The finding is preliminary and subject to toxicology and official review, authorities said.

The men, Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah, were found in the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir, according to the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office. They had been elk hunting and last contacted family on Sept. 11. They were reported missing Sept. 13 after family members failed to reach them. Deputies located the vehicle they drove to the Los Pinos trailhead, along with camping gear and backpacks inside, a development that prompted a large search response in rugged terrain.

The Conejos County Sheriff’s Office said Porter and Stasko were marked overdue while elk hunting and used satellite-tracking devices, which family members later said were not functioning at the time. More than 54 search and rescue teams assisted in the search for the pair in the San Juan Wilderness Area, a challenging landscape west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir. Heavy rain and deteriorating weather conditions complicated the operation as responders combed the high country for days in September. Deputies cautioned that the presence of camping gear and backpacks in the vehicle, coupled with worsening weather, raised concerns about their safety and the possibility of severe conditions in the area.

Porter’s aunt, Lynne Runkle, organized a GoFundMe page to support the families during the ordeal. As the search shifted toward recovery and memorial considerations, Runkle announced that, given the change in circumstances, remaining funds would be redirected to cover memorial services for Andrew and Ian and to support their families. As of Tuesday morning, the GoFundMe page had raised nearly $79,000.

The coroner’s office said the findings are preliminary and will be reviewed in conjunction with laboratory results and autopsy data. There was no indication of foul play noted publicly, and investigators cautioned that a definitive cause would rely on additional testing and official release from the coroner’s office. The San Juan Wilderness Area, known for its rugged high-country terrain, has drawn attention in past years for challenging hikes and search-and-rescue operations, underscoring the dangers associated with backcountry hunting in this region.

The case reflects the potential hazards of high-altitude hunting in remote areas, where weather can shift rapidly and communications gear may fail. Authorities urged anyone venturing into similar terrain to carry reliable emergency devices and to travel with a partner, especially during seasons characterized by unpredictable weather. As investigators continue their work, families and communities are processing the loss of two young men who set out on a hunting trip and did not return home.