DENVER (KDVR) — Two elk hunters who were reported as missing in the San Juan National Forest Wilderness Area on Saturday were found dead, the aunt of one of the hunters told FOX31 on Thursday afternoon.
Conejos County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead after two men, Andrew Porter, 25, from Asheville, North Carolina and Ian Stasko, 25, from Salt Lake City, didn’t meet up at a location during a predetermined time while hunting.
The deputies could not find the men, but discovered their car with their camping gear and backpacks still in the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
Search and rescue teams set out immediately.
Deputies were concerned due to heavy rain and bad weather. This resulted in a “massive search” with helicopters, multi-county and state grounds teams, dog teams, drone teams, ATVs and local volunteers, the sheriff’s office said.
Some of the search and rescue teams and volunteers had traveled from places as far as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Wyoming and other states to assist in the search. Members of both of the men’s families traveled from the East Coast to locate them.
The families of Porter and Stasko told FOX31 on Wednesday that on Sept. 11, the men were seen on a trail camera near their vehicle in the trailhead area. Other hunters also reported seeing them just a day before the search began.
The search lasted for six days before their bodies were discovered.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
