Third Teen Death in National Forest Sparks Alarm After Two High Schoolers Found Shot During Camping Trip
Tragic series of teen deaths in Arizona's Tonto National Forest raises concerns about safety and investigation.
The community of Mesa, Arizona, is in mourning after the tragic deaths of two local high school students, Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, whose bodies were discovered on May 27 near Mount Ord in the remote Tonto National Forest. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that both teenagers died from gunshot wounds and that their deaths are being investigated as homicides. At this time, law enforcement officials have not released additional details about the ongoing investigation.
According to authorities, Kjolsrud and Clark, both students at Arcadia High School, were on a camping trip when the fatal incident occurred. Their deaths have shaken the tight-knit school community, with friends, family members, and classmates struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. The Sheriff’s Office reassured the public that it is pursuing all leads as the search for answers continues in what is now being described as an active homicide investigation.
This recent tragedy marks the second and third teenage deaths discovered in the Tonto National Forest in recent months. In February, the remains of Emily Pike, 14, were found more than 70 miles from the group home she vanished from in January. Pike’s body was located dismembered in the forest area north of Globe, Arizona, and her death is also being investigated as a homicide. Neither the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office nor the FBI, which is assisting in Pike’s case, have announced any arrests or established any formal link between the cases.
The series of violent incidents involving teenagers in the same national forest has fueled anxiety and concern throughout the community. A resident described her fear and empathy for the grieving families, stating, “It’s really scary that it's just so close to home... What are they going through? What happened to them? Are they going to get answers?”
As tributes pour in, those who knew Pandora Kjolsrud remembered her as “a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many.” A GoFundMe campaign set up for her family described her as someone who “loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special.” Evan Clark’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, wrote in a message attached to his fundraiser that her son was “an old soul who was sensitive and loving,” adding, “He was special. He deserved a long life.”
While both investigations remain unresolved and no arrests have been made, community members continue to seek justice and closure for the victims and their families. Law enforcement agencies are urging anyone with information to come forward as the search for suspects intensifies. As the investigation moves forward, many in the community hope that those responsible will soon be identified and brought to justice.
