Two weeks following the discovery of three severely decomposed bodies at a secluded campsite in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the identities of the deceased have been unveiled.
Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes has recently disclosed the identities of the deceased to the Colorado Sun. They were sisters Christine and Rebecca Vance, aged 41 and 42 respectively, along with Rebecca’s 14-year-old son.
Barnes indicated that the trio likely commenced their camping expedition in July 2022, approximately a year before their remains were located. He attributed their demise to malnutrition and exposure to the elements at high altitudes, emphasizing the harsh winter conditions as a contributing factor.
According to one family member, the trio had intentions of living off the grid but their whereabouts were unknown.
Late on Sunday, July 9, a hiker stumbled upon one of the bodies and promptly notified the authorities.
Upon reaching the campsite the following day, officials discovered the other two bodies inside a small tent that was zipped shut. Additionally, one body was found just outside the campsite. The location was described as a remote, wooded area within the Gunnison National Forest near Gold Creek Campground, approximately 100 miles west of Colorado Springs.
Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie remarked that such incidents are highly unusual, emphasizing that there is no perceived risk to hikers or campers in the vicinity: “This is not a typical occurrence anywhere, by any means.” He noted signs at the camp suggesting the family had been residing there for an extended period, such as personal belongings, tarps, and a makeshift shelter constructed from local logs surrounding a fire pit.
“It was a significantly harsh winter for us this year, and it always is here,” Barnes said, “but we did have more snow than we have had in the past couple of winters.”
Gunnison County Undersheriff Josh Ashe clarified to CBS News that investigators did not find any evidence at the scene to suggest criminal involvement. No weapons or signs of violence were discovered: “didn’t observe anything on-scene that makes us believe that there was crime involved in this.”
Murdie noted that due to the significantly decomposed state of the bodies, which he described as “fairly mummified,” it is likely they perished at the camp during the winter or possibly even the fall of 2022.
The sheriff highlighted that while deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning due to heaters in enclosed spaces are not uncommon among campers or hunters, the circumstances surrounding this case appear distinct. Given the remote location of the camp and the spacing of the bodies, Murdie believes this is an entirely different scenario.
“Whether they froze to death in the winter or the combination of starved or froze, that’s what it sure seems like,” Murdie said.
