Police say they are looking into the murders as suspicious after the bodies of two teenagers were discovered in a remote US national park.

The bodies of 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and 17-year-old Evan Clark, both from Arizona, were tragically found in the Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord on Tuesday morning, May 27, approximately an hour and a half’s drive from Phoenix.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner verified their deaths as homicides and recorded their dates of death as last Monday, May 26. The two are thought to have died from gunshot wounds after leaving for a camping trip over the Memorial Day weekend.

They have set up GoFundMe sites to support their parents during their time of loss. Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, has thanked everyone for their unwavering support since losing “my only child and my beloved son.”

“Evan was taken from me last week, and I feel like I can never get over how devastated I am. It is impossible for me to imagine my life without him. Part of her heartbreaking statement on the GoFundMe page read, “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 your average adolescent. He was witty, intelligent, compassionate, and enterprising. He was a gentle, affectionate old soul. The final letter Evan wrote me was so heartwarming that it made me laugh and cry, and he gave it to me on Mother’s Day. He was unique. He was worthy of a long life.

She quoted a Buddhist passage from the Dhammapada to wrap up her remarks: “Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore.” You will no longer endure suffering once your body and mind are free.

According to the GoFundMe page made for the animal lover Pandora, she 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.”

Part of it said: “On May 26, 2025, Pandora Kjolsrud was brutally murdered at the age of just 18. Her vibrant personality and contagious smile made a lot of people happy.

“She loved everyone she met and had a special way of making everyone feel special. She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world.”

She loved playing the violin, cello, and guitar, and she loved music in all its forms. She felt most comfortable in the great outdoors. She enjoyed hiking, kayaking, camping, and horseback riding with her loved ones.

 

Meanwhile, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office told ABC 15 Arizona on Friday that the deaths of Evan and Pandora were being looked into as suspicious.

“We are currently focused on carrying out a thorough and careful investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones,” they stated.

“As we sort through the facts, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for your patience and respect for the investigative process.”