Coverage dated September 21, 2025 to September 22, 2025

Cause of death revealed for two hunters found dead in Colorado wilderness

Headline from Cleveland Plain Dealer

Two experienced elk hunters who went missing in southern Colorado were killed instantly by lightning, officials confirmed.

Cleveland Plain Dealer's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Reports & sources

7 articles, oldest first.

  1. Cowboy State Daily

    Coroner: Lightning Strike Killed Elk Hunters Found Dead In Colorado (opens Cowboy State Daily)

    Published

    Cowboy State Daily's feed description

    The coroner in Conejos County, Colorado, confirmed on Monday that a lightning strike killed two elk hunters who went missing Sept. 11 and were found dead…

  2. Fox News

    Colorado hunters found dead after going missing in rugged terrain (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, were found dead in Colorado wilderness after going missing during an elk hunting trip in the San Juan area.

  3. Fox News

    Young hunters in Colorado died in 'instant,' coroner reveals (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    A coroner ruled a lightning strike to be the preliminary cause of death for two 25-year-old hunters found dead under a tree in the Colorado wilderness.

  4. The Daily Caller

    ‘Split Second’: Rescue Teams Find Two Young Hunters Dead On Trail (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    Two elk hunters were discovered dead on a southern Colorado trail following a gargantuan search. Police confirmed Monday that they were struck by lightning.

  5. Cleveland Plain Dealer

    Cause of death revealed for two hunters found dead in Colorado wilderness (opens Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    Published

    Cleveland Plain Dealer's feed description

    Two experienced elk hunters who went missing in southern Colorado were killed instantly by lightning, officials confirmed.

  6. The Guardian

    Colorado lightning strikes kill two elk hunters caught in ‘horrific act of nature’ (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Bodies of Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko found by rescue crews after storm that likely killed them in ‘split second’

  7. New York Post

    Two 25-year-old elk hunters found dead in Colorado were struck by lightning: ‘Horrific act of nature’ (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko died instantaneously from a lightning strike while out hunting on the Rio de los Pinos trailhead, a remote area in the National Forest, County Coroner Richard Martin told multiple outlets.

Cause of death revealed for two hunters found dead in Colorado wilderness | Since Then