14 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 04:03 UTC · updated Fri, 30 Oct 2026 01:43 UTC
Two Colorado college students, Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of New York, have been found dead in a basin of West Apostle Mountain, about 100 miles southeast of Aspen, after going missing during a hiking trip. They were reported missing on Monday after failing to return from a planned hike up Ice Mountain, a nearly 14,000-foot peak, and were last seen leaving the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus on Friday. The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office said the bodies were discovered Wednesday afternoon following a search involving about 60 volunteers, helicopters, drones, and dogs.
The cause of death is under investigation, but foul play is not suspected, and authorities have not offered theories pending autopsies. Sheriff Andy Rohrich said the team was proud to have located the students before an incoming storm, providing some closure for the families. The students were described as experienced outdoor enthusiasts, and evidence suggests they were prepared for a technical climb when they died.
Content auto-generated. May contain inaccuracies.