Just three days after finishing school, two teenagers set out on a camping trip in Arizona’s wilderness, only to be found dead the next day under tragic and unexplained circumstances. Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, both high school friends, were fatally shot at a remote camping spot in Tonto National Forest, leaving authorities searching for answers nearly a week later.
The bodies of the teenagers were discovered by Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies on May 27. The victims, who had recently completed 11th grade at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, had gone camping on May 25 in a mountainous area within the forest. Concern grew when their families lost contact with them. Evan’s mother, Sandra Sweeney, recalled driving to the location where her son was supposed to be but found nothing.
Officials confirmed that the deaths occurred on May 26, describing the circumstances as suspicious and treating the case as a double homicide. The bodies were found near Mount Ord, a popular spot for camping but one without developed campgrounds, located off State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson in northeastern Maricopa County.
Details about the killings remain limited as the investigation continues. Simone Kjolsrud, Pandora’s mother, confirmed that her daughter was a student at Arcadia High School. According to a GoFundMe page set up for Pandora’s funeral, she was passionate about the outdoors and played several musical instruments. The page highlighted that the outdoors was where Pandora truly felt at home, enjoying camping, horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking with friends and family.
A memorial was set up by friends on Camelback Mountain, a place where Pandora and Evan were known to watch sunsets together. Evan’s GoFundMe page shared that he loved photography, cars, concerts, and traveling. His mother, Sweeney, expressed their close bond, sharing a touching note from Evan’s last letter to her on Mother’s Day, in which he wrote, “You are the best mother and I’m forever in debt and grateful to you.”
As the community mourns, police continue their search for answers in this tragic case.
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