Authorities have disclosed that the mummified bodies discovered in a remote Rocky Mountains camp in the US state of Colorado over a fortnight ago were family members wanting to live off the grid and escape civilization. Christine Vance, 41, and Rebecca Vance, 42, as well as Rebecca’s 14-year-old son, have been named as the victims. According to the deceased’s family, the trio ventured out to the secluded area last summer to escape the world despite having no survival expertise. Trevala Jara, the women’s stepsister, stated that they had merely conducted internet research and watched YouTube videos on the subject.
“We tried to stop them,” Jara was quoted as saying by the Gazette. “But they wouldn’t listen. Their minds were made up.” The relative added that the sisters were worried about the state of the world, especially Rebecca, whose worldview had been altered by the pandemic. “The fear overwhelmed her, most definitely,” said Jara, who recounted that Christine only joined her sister and nephew so that the pair wouldn’t be alone.
The bodies were presumably there all winter and possibly since last autumn because they were “fairly mummified” and were in the stage of decomposition
According to the preliminary examination, the bodies were presumably there all winter and possibly since last autumn because they were “fairly mummified” and were in the stage of decomposition. The bodies of the deceased revealed evidence of malnourishment, according to Michael Barnes, Coroner of Gunnison County. To ascertain the cause of death, a toxicology report is awaited. Authorities believe the group died as a result of malnutrition, cold conditions, or carbon monoxide poisoning while attempting to build a fire to remain warm. “It was a significantly harsh winter for us this year, and it always is here. We did have more snow than we have had in the past couple of winters,” said Barnes.
“I wonder if winter came on quickly and suddenly they were just in survival mode in the tent. They had a lot of literature with them about outdoor survival and foraging and stuff like that. But it looked like they supplied at a grocery store,” he added. The ‘heavily decomposed’ bodies were discovered near a tent on a campsite in the Gunnison National Forest, roughly 14.5 kilometers from Ohio City. Personal possessions, tarps, and a lean-to made from logs over a fire pit near the encampment were also located by authorities.