2 college students found dead after going missing while hiking, police say

Two missing college students from Colorado Mountain College Leadville were found dead near West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County after embarking on a weekend hiking trip, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office.

The victims, identified as 19-year-old Kaden Matsuda and 20-year-old Jackson Donlon, left the college campus on Friday for what was planned as a hike in the Rocky Mountains before failing to return by the weekend, prompting a multi-day search and rescue operation.

Incident Overview

According to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon departed from the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus on Friday to hike Ice Mountain on the far north end of Chaffee County. Friends of the hikers reported that the two intended to return on Saturday if they encountered unsafe conditions, or on Sunday if they continued their route. College staff contacted authorities on Monday after the students failed to return. Investigators later located Matsuda's vehicle at a trailhead with snow accumulation around it. Weather conditions in the area included rain on Friday followed by heavy snowfall beginning Saturday afternoon, dropping between one and four feet of snow in parts of the mountain due to sluffing and drifting.

Search and rescue operations intensified as teams utilized both ground units and aerial support. On Tuesday, a helicopter spotted an object near Lake Ann, which ground teams confirmed to be a collapsed tent belonging to the hikers. Inside the tent, searchers found sleeping bags, a cooking stove, and clothing, but no sign of the students. The bodies of Matsuda and Donlon were ultimately discovered on Wednesday afternoon in a basin of West Apostle Mountain. The sheriff's office stated that foul play is not suspected, and a determination of the exact cause of death is pending completion of autopsies.

Timeline of Events

1. Friday: Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon leave the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus for a hike, while rain falls in the area.
2. Saturday: Snowfall begins in the afternoon, dropping significant snow across the mountain terrain.
3. Monday: Staff from Colorado Mountain College contact the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office to report the hikers missing.
4. Tuesday: A search helicopter spots an object near Lake Ann, which ground teams identify as the hikers' collapsed tent.
5. Wednesday afternoon: Search and rescue teams discover the bodies of Matsuda and Donlon in a basin of West Apostle Mountain.
6. Thursday morning: The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office announces the recovery of the hikers in a public social media update.

Suspect Information

Authorities have stated that foul play is not suspected in this incident. No suspects have been identified, arrested, or charged in connection with the deaths of the two college students.

Victim Information

The victims are identified as Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, both students at Colorado Mountain College Leadville. Those close to the hikers described them as experienced outdoorsmen who should have possessed appropriate clothing for mountain travel, though the sheriff's office noted that Ice Mountain presents a very technical climb requiring advanced experience even under dry conditions.

Police Response

The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office led the emergency response after receiving the missing persons report from college staff on Monday. Deputies conducted interviews with family and friends to establish the hikers' intended route toward Ice Mountain, deployed search and rescue teams on the ground, coordinated aerial searches via helicopter, and worked alongside specialized faculty members from Colorado Mountain College who assisted in the field.

Investigation

The investigation into the deaths is being handled by the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, with support from search and rescue personnel and college staff. Investigators reviewed digital forensic data from the hikers' mobile phones, noting that the devices had not been used in 48 hours, though authorities attributed this to low battery preservation in an area with nearly nonexistent cellular service. Autopsies are pending to determine the precise medical cause of death.

Evidence Collected

• A motor vehicle belonging to Kaden Matsuda, found at the trailhead with approximately eight inches of snow around it
• Cellular phones belonging to both hikers, examined for digital usage history and battery status
• A collapsed camping tent discovered near Lake Ann
• Sleeping bags, a camp stove, and clothing located inside the abandoned tent

Arrest Details

No arrests have been made in this case. The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office stated that foul play is not suspected, and the investigation remains focused on determining the circumstances surrounding the hikers' deaths through upcoming autopsies.

Charges Filed

No criminal charges have been filed in this case, as authorities have found no indication of criminal activity or foul play in the deaths of Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon.

Court Information

As this is a non-criminal missing persons and recovery investigation rather than a criminal prosecution, no court docket or case number has been released, and no court hearings are currently scheduled.

Statements from Authorities

According to a public statement released by the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, "Foul play is not suspected, and we will not offer theories as to what may have happened until an autopsy can be completed." Regarding the discovery of the hikers' gear, the sheriff's office noted, "There was no snow under the tent and there were no visible footprints in the snow, which suggested, again, this was all in place before the snow came in." A spokesperson for Colorado Mountain College also reported that faculty members with specialized mountain travel training were deployed to assist search operations while the institution provides ongoing support to affected students.

Public Safety Information

Authorities and mountain rescue organizations advise all backcountry visitors to monitor weather forecasts carefully, carry proper navigational and survival gear, and inform reliable contacts of specific travel routes and expected return times. Mountain environments can experience rapid and severe weather shifts, including heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, even outside of winter months. Anyone experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency in the outdoors should dial 911. For those dealing with grief or trauma following a tragedy, support is available nationwide by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

What Happens Next

The Chaffee County Coroner's Office will conduct autopsies on both victims to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Once medical examinations are finalized, the sheriff's office will conclude its active investigative file unless additional findings warrant further review.