In a revelation that shows the raw power of nature, Conejos County, Colorado Coroner Richard Martin announced yesterday that both 25-year-old Andrew Porter and 25-year-old Ian Stasko died from a lightning strike. The incident is believed to have occurred on September 12, amid severe thunderstorms reported in the region. Weather data corroborated the timing, with storms bringing heavy rain, high winds, and lightning activity to the South San Juan area.
“It is OFFICIAL that a lightning strike to the ground took them in an instant,” Porter’s fiancé, Bridget Murphy wrote in a Facebook post about Porter on Monday. “They didn’t do anything wrong, they didn’t feel fear or pain. [Andrew] was just trying to get back to the car as storms rolled in…”
Martin went on to explain that typical signs of a lightning strike, such as burns or entry/exit wounds, were not immediately apparent to search teams, which delayed the initial assessment. "Lightning strikes can be deceptive in their presentation," he noted, highlighting how the autopsies provided the definitive evidence.
Martin noted that determining the cause of death in this case was “pretty tough” given that most instances of lightning strikes leave behind some kind of bodily injury. In this case, no physical evidence was present and the tree the two men were apparently standing under also showed no signs of trauma from a lightning strike. While it’s difficult to assess what exactly transpired, he surmised that the electricity from the strike traveled into the ground and is what probably killed them. He told Cowboy State Daily that it was likely that the fatal effect was that “all electrical functions” in their bodies were stopped instantly by the massive jolt of electricity.
The news follows a massive search operation for the two young men after the pair set out on September 11th for an elk hunting trip in the rugged South San Juan Wilderness within the Rio Grande National Forest. The last contact came later that afternoon when Porter shared his location with his fiancée. When the men failed to check in as planned, alarm bells rang.
A massive search operation was launched, involving over 170 personnel from multiple agencies, including search-and-rescue teams, volunteers, and resources like helicopters, dogs, horses, and ground hikers. For six tense days, the effort scoured the wilderness, hampered by the remote location and harsh conditions.
Wet clothes found in their vehicle suggested the hunters had encountered rain or a stream crossing and returned to change before venturing out again. Speculation swirled about possible injuries, wildlife encounters, or getting lost in the vast, unforgiving landscape.
On September 18th, the search came to a somber end when the bodies of Porter and Stasko were located approximately two miles from the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead, at an elevation of around 10,000 feet. Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin confirmed their identities the following day, noting no obvious injuries or signs of foul play. "If there had been any indication of violence, the scene would still be under active investigation," Martin stated, calling attention to the absence of trauma visible to initial responders.
Full autopsies were then scheduled for September 22nd, at the El Paso County Coroner's Office, leading to the conclusion as released yesterday afternoon.
With no evidence of criminal activity, the investigation has been officially closed. Martin has not released additional details on contributing factors, such as the exact circumstances of the strike or any underlying medical conditions, respecting the privacy of the families.
"This loss reminds us all of the risks inherent in the activities we love," Porter’s aunt shared in a statement. "Andrew and Ian were passionate about the wilderness, and while we're devastated, we're comforted knowing they were together doing what brought them joy."
