A weekend camping trip in Arizona ended in unthinkable tragedy when two teenagers, 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and 17-year-old Evan Clark, were found dead in a remote area with gunshot wounds. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has since confirmed it’s treating the case as a homicide and is asking the public for help.
Authorities say the teens were discovered early Tuesday morning, May 27, near Mount Ord, which sits between Mesa and Payson, after they didn’t return from their Memorial Day weekend trip to Tonto National Forest. While officials initially withheld the boy’s name, friends identified him as Evan Clark, according to reports from Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5).
In a statement to PEOPLE on June 1, an MCSO spokesperson confirmed, “We are actively working this case, which involves two victims who tragically lost their lives due to gunshot wounds.” The sheriff’s office also urged anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward by calling their tip line at 602-876-TIPS. “Your help could be critical in bringing answers and justice to the victims and their families,” the office added. “You may remain anonymous.”
The sheriff’s deputies first responded to the area near Mount Ord after receiving a call about the missing teens. When they arrived, they found both victims dead. Friends say Kjolsrud and Clark often watched the sunset from a scenic overlook on Camelback Mountain, where a memorial has now been created in their honor.
Kylie Whattim, a coworker of one of the teens, said the whole situation is “shocking.” Iara Rosales, who worked with Clark, added, “They were very young, and it was just so sudden and a tragedy that you wouldn’t even imagine.”
GoFundMe pages have been set up for both families. Kjolsrud’s page paints a picture of a vibrant, adventurous young woman who played the violin, cello, and guitar, loved the outdoors, and always stopped to say hi to any dog she passed. “She had an unusual ability to make every person she met feel special and loved,” her mom told KNXV. “She was a friend to many and a beloved daughter.”
Her family added that Pandora lived life “in a big way” and was always up for an adventure. They’re planning a community celebration of life for her in the coming months. The GoFundMe has raised nearly $18,000 to help with expenses.
Clark’s page includes a heartfelt message from his mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, who said he was her only child and was “on his way to becoming a wonderful man.” She wrote, “Evan wrote me letters, the last of which he gave me on Mother’s Day, that was so touching it made me both laugh and cry. He was special. He deserved a long life.”
Evan loved concerts, photography, fast cars, and trips to Malibu, California. He also worked at Crumbl Cookies and had recently flourished socially at Arcadia High School, where both teens were students. The school has confirmed the deaths and is offering grief counseling and support to students and families.
Sweeney ended her tribute with a Buddhist quote: “Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore. With the mind and body liberated, you shall suffer no more.” Her son’s fundraiser has raised nearly $15,000.
MCSO told ABC News it’s now focused on a “comprehensive and meticulous investigation” and is working closely with law enforcement partners. “We ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts,” the office said.