Recently, two college students, Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon, were found deceased after an ill-fated hiking trip in Colorado. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office verified the discovery in a mountain basin on West Apostle Mountain.
Matsuda, a 19-year-old from Ridgway, Colorado, and Donlon, aged 20 from Queensbury, New York, both attended Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus. They embarked on their hike near Ice Mountain on Friday, October 23. Their bodies were located on Wednesday after being reported missing on Monday.
Reports indicate no suspicion of foul play. Their remains were positioned close to each other, suggesting the possibility of them staying together before their demise.
The search involved 60 volunteers who traversed tough terrain and adverse conditions to locate the missing students. Six counties contributed to the search efforts, showcasing community solidarity in times of crisis.
“Our hearts ache for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends. Although this outcome is deeply painful, it provides some closure,” said Sheriff Andy Rohrich.
The timeline of events has been determined by deputies:
- Friday, Oct. 23: Matsuda and Donlon left campus in rainy weather heading to Chaffee County.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: They aimed to return if the weather became unfavorable, but a snowstorm struck in the afternoon.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: This was their alternative return day if they opted to scale the summit.
- Monday, Oct. 26: The college officially reported them missing, leading deputies to find Matsuda’s vehicle at a trailhead.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27: Overhead teams identified their tent near Lake Ann.
- Wednesday, Oct. 28: Their bodies were discovered.
The investigation into the circumstances of their deaths is ongoing, with autopsies pending to provide more insights. This tragedy has prompted expressions of sympathy and support from the community and the college.
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