Two 25-year-old elk hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, were found dead in Colorado after being struck by lightning while hunting in a remote area of the National Forest.

CONEJOS COUNTY, Colo. — A week-long search for two young elk hunters in the Colorado backcountry ended in tragedy when officials

confirmed that Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were killed by a lightning strike while hunting on the Rio de los Pinos trailhead.

Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin said the men were found under a tree with minor burn marks on their bodies.

“A slight burn is like if you take a match and stick it on your arm,” Martin explained. “There were only two or three of them. That kind of death is just instant. It’s like you’re alive and now you’re not. Just that quick. Split second.”

The remains were discovered around 11 a.m. on Thursday by Colorado search and rescue teams after the men had been missing for nearly a week.

The hunters’ last known communication was shortly after 3 p.m. on September 11, when Porter used a satellite device to share his location with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy. The device last pinged from his car near the trailhead.

“It was out of everyone’s hands,” Murphy wrote on Facebook after the confirmation. “He was just trying to get back to the car as storms rolled in on Friday – September 12. It’s a bizarre, horrific act of nature.

He was an experienced outdoorsman, who was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.”

An intensive search operation ensued over the following days, involving multiple ground and air teams combing the rugged terrain. Family members and friends participated in the search, sharing their concern on social media and urging local authorities for updates.

Porter’s aunt, Lynne Runkle, had speculated in a GoFundMe post that the men might have been “caught off guard” by sudden storms moving through the area.

Martin emphasized that the preliminary findings pointed clearly to a lightning strike as the cause of death, though full autopsy results are expected in approximately eight weeks.

“I’m telling you, that’s what it was,” Martin said. He noted that despite the violent nature of the event, the men likely did not experience pain due to the instantaneous effect of the strike.

Murphy described the devastating personal impact of the loss. “It may not have been legal yet, but he was my husband and partner.

We have been together quite a while, but lived together like a married couple for the past three years. I wish I had 30 more. I sure feel like a widow. I sure feel like my future is blank now.”

Despite the grief, she found some measure of solace knowing the men were doing what they loved. “What reassures me is that they were doing what they loved, without fear, well prepared and equipped,” she said.

“This could’ve happened anywhere, to anyone. It’s just a tragic, horrific act of nature.”

Porter and Stasko were both experienced hunters familiar with the challenges of backcountry terrain. Friends described them as passionate about the outdoors, prepared, and safety-conscious.

They had gone on the hunt together earlier in the week, carrying appropriate gear, including satellite communication devices, which ultimately provided critical information to authorities about their last known location.

The Rio de los Pinos trailhead, located in a remote section of the National Forest, is known for its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather.

Lightning strikes, while rare, are a recognized hazard for outdoor enthusiasts, especially in high-altitude areas where storms can form rapidly.

Safety experts caution hunters and hikers to avoid standing under isolated trees during thunderstorms, as lightning often seeks the tallest nearby object.

Local search and rescue officials praised the coordination between various agencies during the week-long operation. “Our teams worked tirelessly to locate Andrew and Ian,” said a spokesperson for the Colorado search and rescue authorities.

“We are grateful we were able to find them so their families can have closure, though our hearts go out to them in this tragic circumstance.”

Community members have rallied around the families, offering condolences and support through social media posts, memorial contributions, and public statements.

Several local groups have organized events to honor the memory of the two hunters, reflecting the impact of their loss on the wider hunting and outdoor recreation communities.

In the wake of the incident, discussions about outdoor safety during stormy conditions have resurfaced.

Experts recommend monitoring weather reports, avoiding isolated high points or lone trees, and having a clear plan to seek shelter in safe areas during sudden thunderstorms.

The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and sometimes deadly power of nature.

Full autopsy reports are expected to take up to eight weeks to complete, but Martin expressed confidence in the preliminary findings.

“There is no indication of foul play or other contributing factors,” he said. “It was a tragic accident, a sudden and violent act of nature that took two young lives in an instant.”

Murphy concluded her statement by expressing gratitude for the resolution and emphasizing the character of the men who perished.

“They were responsible, careful, and respectful of the wilderness.  They didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just the worst luck imaginable,” she said. “I am so grateful we found them, so they can finally be at peace.”

The deaths of Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko are a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with outdoor activities in remote, high-altitude regions.

While hunting and backcountry recreation offer adventure and connection with nature, safety protocols remain critical, particularly during lightning-prone seasons.

As the families mourn their loss, local authorities continue to advise outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution, carry emergency communication devices, and remain vigilant during rapidly changing weather conditions.

The tragic event has underscored the importance of preparedness and awareness for anyone venturing into the wilderness.

Porter and Stasko are remembered by their friends, families, and the wider outdoor community as dedicated hunters and passionate adventurers whose lives were tragically cut short by a sudden, uncontrollable act of nature.

Memorial services are planned in their respective hometowns in the coming weeks.