Following the tragic deaths of two teenagers in a national forest, their families have released a heartbreaking statement.
On the morning of May 27, deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call near Mount Ord, just off State Route 87, where they found the bodies of 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and 17-year-old Evan Clark.
The teenagers, both students at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, had reportedly ventured out to the forest to celebrate the start of summer and the end of their 11th-grade year.
But what was supposed to be a joyful trip ended in unspeakable tragedy.
What happened to the two teenagers?Both victims were confirmed to have died from gunshot wounds. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office listed their date of death as May 26 and has officially ruled both deaths as homicides.
A statement from the sheriff’s office to The New York Times confirmed: "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious."
They added in a separate statement to ABC 15 Arizona: "At this time, our focus is on conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones. We are coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts."
The teens’ deaths have shaken the community, and a memorial was quickly set up near the site where they often went to watch the sunset.
“You just cherish all the memories and the laughs,” said Iara Rosales, a coworker of Clark. “His life was cut very short, and so was Pandora’s. They were very young, and it was just so sudden and a tragedy that you wouldn’t even imagine.”
What have their families said?Pandora’s mother, Simone Kjolsrud, described her grief in a devastating Facebook post: “My heart is shattered in a million pieces. Rest in peace my beautiful girl.”
She also spoke to ABC 15 Arizona, stating that the family is “heartbroken” and that they are “working closely with law enforcement and have full faith that justice will be served.”
A GoFundMe set up in Pandora’s memory described her as “a talented musician” with “a vivacious personality with an infectious smile.” The tribute continued: “She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special.”
“She loved camping, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking with friends and family,” it read.
“Animals adored Pandora, and 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. She was a friend to so many and a beloved daughter.”
Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, also expressed the overwhelming pain of losing her only child.
In a GoFundMe post, she wrote: “Evan Clark was my only child and my beloved son. This last week, Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable. I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him.”
She continued: “Evan wasn’t a typical teenager. He was funny, bright, kind, and entrepreneurial. He was an old soul who was sensitive and loving.
"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.”
She also shared that Evan loved “working at Crumbl Cookies, going to concerts, photography, cars, and trips to Malibu.” He had become a beloved figure at school and among friends.
“The outpouring of concern from these communities has meant so very much to me. I sincerely thank every person who has reached out to offer compassion and sympathy,” she said.
In a phone call with The New York Times, Sweeney revealed that when she couldn’t reach her son, she drove up Mount Ord herself: “I decided to go to the location where my son was, drove to the top and saw nothing,” she said, before learning the terrible truth the following day.
She closed her statement with a verse from the Buddhist Dhammapada: “Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore. With the mind and body liberated, you shall suffer no more.”
As the homicide investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at 602-876-TIPS.