Updated at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025.
Two men who were found dead last week after going missing during an elk hunting trip in Conejos County were killed by lightning strike, authorities said Monday.
Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin confirmed the cause of death following an autopsy performed on both men.
The missing hunters were Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville N.C., and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City.
In a social media message posted Monday, Stasko's fiancé said the pair were trying to get back to their car as storms rolled in on Friday, Sept. 12.
"It was out of everyone’s hands, and I am so grateful we found them so they can be at peace," Bridget Murphy said. "He was an experienced outdoorsman, who was in the wrong spot at the wrong time."
She said the men were well prepared and equipped and called the accident a "bizarre horrific act of nature."
The bodies were found at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 following extensive search operations that included the New Mexico State Search & Rescue and Colorado Search and Rescue Association.
In a press release last week, the Conejos County Sheriff's office said the bodies were found two miles from the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead where the men's car was located. Camping supplies were still inside the vehicle. A Go Fund Me page organized by a woman identifying herself as one of the men's aunts confirmed the bodies belonged to the missing hunters.
“It is with a broken heart and through tears that I give you this update," an update on the page read. "Andrew and Ian have both been found deceased. Their bodies were discovered earlier today by Colorado Search and Rescue. I will provide another update tomorrow.”
The men's bodies were recovered from the San Juan National Forest. The coroner previously said on Friday that there were no obvious signs of violence.
"If there were obvious signs of foul play, we would still be up there, processing the scene," said Martin.
The men were reported missing after they failed to report back to loved ones by a predetermined time following an elk hunting trip in the San Juan Wilderness Area, according to the Conejos County Sheriff's Department.
Porter and Stasko were last in contact with friends and family on Sept. 11., according to emails sent to KRCC. Martin said weather in the area last weekend was terrible, with both lightning storms and dropping temperatures.
On Sept. 13 Conejos County deputies found their car at the trailhead. The car reportedly had the hunters' camping gear and backpacks, which officials say concerned them due to recent heavy rainfall and bad weather.
The sheriff's office launched search and rescue operations. Authorities said there were over 54 teams searching for the men with air operations, multi-county and state ground teams. In a press release, the county said it employed various search methods including dog teams, drone teams, a Flight for Life helicopter and a privately-owned Black Hawk Helicopter.
CPR's Megan Verlee and Sandy Battulga contributed to this report.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about the hunters' cause of death.
