Within one week of their summer vacation, two Arizona teens were shot to death in Tonto National Forest.
The two teens’ bodies were found near Mount Ord on May 27.
“The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is actively working this case, which involves two victims who tragically lost their lives due to gunshot wounds,” Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office told NTD in an email on June 2. “At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious.”
The two teenagers were from Arcadia High School in Phoenix and were on a weekend camping trip at the time of their deaths.
The mother of one teen said in a Facebook post that beautiful memories would carry her through unimaginable grief.
Kjolsrud’s daughter, 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud, was one of the two deceased individuals found off of State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson, according to a statement by the sheriff’s Office.
Detectives, who have since launched a homicide investigation, said the other victim is a 17-year-old.
Sweeney wrote that her son was in his final year at Arcadia High School.
“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,” she wrote.
“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.”
