What was supposed to be a routine elk hunting trip in the rugged backcountry of southern Colorado has ended in heartbreak, as two young men — both experienced hunters — were found dead after disappearing in the Rio Grande National Forest.
Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, set out on September 11 for what should have been an exciting excursion in the wilderness. Known among friends and family as skilled outdoorsmen, the two were confident in navigating difficult terrain and unpredictable conditions. But just hours after Porter checked in with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy, all communication stopped — and within days, their absence triggered a massive search effort that would end in tragedy.
The Final Contact
According to Murphy, Andrew had been in steady contact throughout the morning and early afternoon of September 11. He shared his location several times, assuring her that everything was going as planned. Then, without warning, his responses stopped. At first, she thought poor reception was to blame — not unusual in the thick forests of the San Luis Valley. But as night fell and hours passed without a single update, concern grew.
By September 13, when neither man had returned home, their families contacted authorities. Deputies soon arrived at the trailhead where they had set out and quickly discovered their vehicle parked nearby. Inside were pieces of hiking gear and other supplies that should have been with them on the mountain, raising alarm. Even more troubling were the weather reports: storms had swept through the area during those days, bringing heavy rain, plunging temperatures, and dangerously slick conditions.
A Growing Sense of Dread
Speaking to The Colorado Sun during the search, Murphy described her mounting fear. “They were very prepared outdoorsmen,” she said. “But preparation only goes so far if you get disoriented, or if hypothermia sets in. That’s what scared me. I kept asking myself: were they panicked? Were they already in trouble?”
Murphy and Porter had been planning to marry in just a few months. What should have been a time of anticipation and joy instead turned into a nightmare of uncertainty, as she held on to hope while search crews combed through the forest.
The Search Efforts
The Rio Grande National Forest covers nearly 1.8 million acres of rugged wilderness, and searches of that scale are grueling. Volunteers joined local deputies, forest rangers, and search-and-rescue teams in sweeping the trails and ridgelines where the hunters were likely to have traveled. Helicopters scanned from above while ground crews navigated dense underbrush and steep ravines.
For days, the search turned up little beyond footprints and a few disturbed areas of brush. Investigators theorized that the men may have attempted to track elk deeper into the forest, only to be caught in the sudden change of weather. As hypothermia sets in quickly at high altitudes — even for seasoned outdoorsmen — the possibility of a fatal outcome became increasingly likely.
The Discovery
The grim discovery came late last week when searchers located the bodies of both men less than two miles from their intended route. The details, though not fully disclosed, suggest they may have succumbed to exposure after becoming disoriented in worsening conditions. No foul play is suspected.
For the families, the confirmation was devastating. Murphy described feeling a “hollow kind of shock” upon hearing the news, torn between grief and the faint relief that the search was finally over. “I kept telling myself I wanted answers,” she said quietly. “But I never wanted this answer.”
Remembering Andrew and Ian
Friends have described both Porter and Stasko as “mountain men at heart,” with a lifelong love for the outdoors. They had been hunting together since high school, often making annual trips into the Rockies. Beyond their passion for nature, both were known as devoted sons, brothers, and friends.
Andrew’s fiancée shared that he was meticulous in preparation, always the first to pack extra supplies and plan for emergencies. “That’s why this is so hard to believe,” she said. “He did everything right. They both did. But sometimes the mountain doesn’t care how prepared you are.”
Ian’s family remembered his adventurous spirit and his ability to make anyone laugh around a campfire. “He lived fully, and he lived bravely,” one cousin said. “The wilderness was his happy place.”
A Broader Warning
Experts note that tragedies like this, while rare, underscore the unpredictable dangers of wilderness expeditions. Even for those with experience, sudden weather changes, disorientation, and the onset of hypothermia can quickly turn a trip fatal. Authorities have urged future hunters and hikers in the region to take additional precautions, including carrying satellite communication devices and preparing for abrupt weather shifts.
A Community in Mourning
As news of the deaths spread, the small communities connected to the young men rallied around their families. Friends organized vigils, while local churches prepared memorial services. Social media filled with tributes, photos of past hunting trips, and stories of laughter and friendship that both Andrew and Ian had shared so freely.
For Bridget Murphy, the loss feels immeasurable. She had pictured a future with Andrew — a wedding, a home, perhaps children of their own. Now, instead of planning a marriage, she is preparing for a funeral. Yet even in her grief, she has found words of warning for others.
“I want people to know that even if you think you’re ready, even if you’re experienced, you have to respect the mountain,” she said. “Don’t ignore the signs. Don’t think it can’t happen to you.”
The deaths of Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko serve as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the risks hidden in even the most familiar wilderness. To their families, though, they will always be remembered not for the way they died, but for the lives they lived — bold, adventurous, and deeply loved.
