A 14-year-old boy, his mother, and his aunt met their end in the Colorado wilderness following an attempt to live off the grid, according to details from a recently released autopsy report by the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office.
All three succumbed to malnutrition and hypothermia.
A hiker discovered the teenager’s body near Gold Creek Campground on July 9. According to the report, the boy weighed 40 pounds at the time of his death, significantly less than the CDC’s average weight of 112 pounds for boys his age.
Upon further investigation, authorities found the bodies of the two women inside a tent at the remote campsite. Rebecca Vance, 42, the boy’s mother, and his aunt, Christine Vance, 41, were found over 100 miles from their original home in Colorado Springs. The site was scattered with empty food cans and survival guides but lacked any fresh food or heaters.
Trevala Jara, stepsister to the Vance sisters, shared insight into the family’s decision. The boy, who was only 13 when they embarked on their journey, had reservations about the venture but chose to be with his mother.
Rebecca Vance, perceived by her family as an introvert and not particularly outdoorsy, was the driving force behind the move.
Despite concerns from family, Vance was determined to live a secluded life and had convinced her younger sister to accompany them. Their preparation consisted of watching YouTube videos on wilderness survival.
The family had been reported missing since October 2022. Their last contact with civilization revealed how little they knew about the impending harsh weather conditions of the Colorado winter.
Autopsy reports suggest their deaths likely occurred during the winter, with each of them found wearing multiple layers of clothing and cross pendants.
The region experienced heavy snowfall and numerous below-freezing days, highlighting the challenges they were trying to endure.
