An autopsy report from the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office detailed the unfortunate events of a family who sought to live off the grid in Colorado’s wilderness during the winter months. The predominant reasons for their deaths were malnutrition and hypothermia.
On July 9, an unsuspecting hiker came across the emaciated, mummified body of a 14-year-old boy near Gold Creek Campground. Astonishingly, he weighed only about 40 pounds, which is far below the CDC’s recommended 112 pounds for boys his age.
Subsequent investigations directed officials to a secluded campsite. Here, they uncovered the remains of the boy’s mother, Rebecca Vance, aged 42, and his aunt, Christine Vance, aged 41. The camping spot was situated over 100 miles away from their original residence in Colorado Springs. The campsite held empty food containers and numerous survival guidebooks. However, essentials like edible food and heating apparatus were missing.
Trevala Jara, a relative of the Vance sisters, shed some light on the situation. The teenage boy, starting the journey at 13, was initially reluctant but chose to accompany his mother. The choice to isolate themselves from society was Rebecca Vance’s idea. Described by relatives as introverted and not particularly adept at wilderness living, Rebecca was persistent about this new venture and convinced her younger sister to accompany them. They primarily learned survival techniques from YouTube videos.
Last seen the previous October, the family had been missing for several months. Past communication showed they had not adequately anticipated Colorado’s rigorous winter conditions and the autopsy surmised that they faced their demise during the past winter. They were found wearing multiple layers of clothing and religious pendants.
The challenging environment, characterized by heavy snowfall and continuously frigid temperatures, proved too formidable for the family.
