Insight has been provided by a coroner following the tragic deaths of two hunters in Colorado due to a lightning strike last week.
Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko were elk hunting near the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead on September 11.
Stasko had shared his location with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy, over the phone. When he failed to check in with her and his family, they grew worried.
The last communication from him was on September 11, and two days later, local deputies received a report about their disappearance. After discovering their vehicle, which still contained all their camping gear, the bodies of the men were found on Thursday (September 18).
Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin informed ABC 7 that there were “no visible injuries on the bodies, nor were there any initial signs of foul play.”
Martin has now provided conclusions regarding the cause of death for the two men.
He told The Colorado Sun that the hunters were found beneath a tree and had burn marks.
“A slight burn is like if you take a match and stick it on your arm,” he explained. “And there were only two or three of them. That kind of death is just instant. It’s like you’re alive and now you’re not. Just that quick. Split second.”
According to PEOPLE, Martin also indicated that their minor injuries matched those of a “pretty intense electrical jolt.” However, the official cause of death will only be confirmed once complete autopsy results are available in eight weeks.
“I’m telling you, that’s what it was,” Martin emphasized.
Reacting to the news on Facebook, Murphy wrote: “It is OFFICIAL, that a lightning strike to the ground took them in an instant. They didn’t do anything wrong; they didn’t feel fear or pain.”
“He was just trying to get back to the car as storms rolled in on Friday – September 12. It was out of everyone’s hands, and I am so grateful we found them so they can be at peace. He was an experienced outdoorsman, who was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.”
Data from the National Weather Service indicates that since 1980, Colorado has experienced two fatalities and 12 injuries annually due to lightning strikes.
Porter’s aunt, Lynne Runkle, initially set up a GoFundMe page to aid in search and rescue efforts. She has since updated contributors on the new allocation of the funds.
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of support from everyone,” she wrote yesterday (September 23).
“Given the change in circumstances, we will be reallocating the remaining funds—originally intended for search and rescue efforts—to help cover memorial services for Andrew and Ian, as well as to support their families during this difficult time.
“We believe this is the most meaningful way to honour your generous contributions.”
As of now, $78,666 has been raised.