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What we know after two teens were found dead in remote US national forest

Home> News> US News

Updated 11:10 3 Jun 2025 GMT+1Published 10:17 3 Jun 2025 GMT+1

What we know after two teens were found dead in remote US national forest

It is believed that Pandora Kjolsrud and Evan Clark died in a remote forest from 'gunshot wounds'

Liv Bridge

Liv Bridge

Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe

Topics: Arizona, Crime, US News, Nature, GoFundMe, Gun Crime

Liv Bridge
Liv Bridge

Liv Bridge is a digital journalist who joined the UNILAD team in 2024 after almost three years reporting local news for a Newsquest UK paper, The Oldham Times. She's passionate about health, housing, food and music, especially Oasis...

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@livbridge

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The bodies of two teenagers were discovered with 'gunshot wounds' in a remote part of a forest in Arizona.

On Tuesday (May 27), the bodies of 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and 17-year-old Evan Clark, both of Arizona, were found with apparent gunshot wounds in remote woodland.

An investigation is currently underway, with police confirming in a statement that their deaths are being treated as 'suspicious'.

Here's everything we know about the case so far.

What happened to Pandora Kjolsrud and Evan Clark?

According to The New York Times, Kjolsrud and Clark were high school friends who'd set off for a Memorial Day weekend trip to celebrate finishing 11th grade.

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Maricopa County cops responded to calls that their bodies were found in the Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord last Tuesday, just off State Route 87, which runs from Phoenix to Payson.

The teenagers were found in Tonto National Forest (Getty Images)
The teenagers were found in Tonto National Forest (Getty Images)

The area is considered one of the largest national forests in the US, spanning almost three million acres.

Mount Ord, a mountain located in Tonto National Forest on the northeastern edge of the county, is renowned for its sprawling wilderness, which is popular among hikers.

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Maricopa County Medical Examiner listed the teenagers' date of death as Monday (May 26). However, no other details were provided.

What have police said?

Pandora's family said the teen loved animals and the outdoors (GoFundMe)
Pandora's family said the teen loved animals and the outdoors (GoFundMe)

A statement from the sheriff's office to The New York Times said the pair 'lost their lives due to gunshot wounds', and that they were treating their deaths as a possible homicide.

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"At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious," the statement continued.

Meanwhile, a separate statement from the sheriff's office confirmed that there was no additional information as the homicide investigation continued.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office also said in a statement to ABC 15 Arizona: "At this time, our focus is on conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones.

"We are coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts."

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Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office has since reportedly listed both deaths as homicides, ABC 15 Arizona reported.

What have their families said?

Evan's mom, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, described her son as being an 'old soul' (GoFundMe)
Evan's mom, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, described her son as being an 'old soul' (GoFundMe)

The pair's grief-stricken family have both issued statements following their passing. Pandora's mom, Simone Kjolsrud, and her family said they were 'heartbroken' by the loss in a statement to ABC 15 Arizona, adding that they were 'working closely with law enforcement and have full faith that justice will be served'.

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A GoFundMe set up to raise money for Pandora's funeral expenses describes her as a talented musician and having a 'vivacious personality with an infectious smile.'

She also adored animals and had a 'special bond with her two little dogs and never failed to stop and greet any dog she passed on her hikes and neighborhood walks,' it added.

"She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special." it continued. "She loved camping, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking with friends and family."

Meanwhile, Evan's mom, Sandra Sweeney, said in a statement on a GoFundMe post: "This last week, Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable.

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Pandora had an 'infectious smile' and also loved music her family have said (GoFundMe)
Pandora had an 'infectious smile' and also loved music her family have said (GoFundMe)

"I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him. It is a small comfort to share some things about this boy who was on his way to becoming a wonderful man.

"Evan wasn't a typical teenager. He was funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial. He was an old soul who was sensitive and loving. 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."

She also revealed he enjoyed working at Crumbl Cookies, 'going to concerts, photography, cars and trips to Malibu,' and had become a popular student with 'wonderful friends'.

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Ms Sweeney also said the outpouring of support had touched her after having lost 'my only child and beloved son'.

His mother said he was 'funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial' (GoFundMe)
His mother said he was 'funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial' (GoFundMe)

She concluded her statement with a Buddhist verse of the Dhammapada: "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."

In a call with The New York Times, Sweeney added that when she didn't hear from Evan, she searched for him herself up the mountain.

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"I decided to go to the location where my son was, drove to the top and saw nothing," she said before adding that she'd learnt of her son's death on Tuesday.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].

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