2 found dead off State Route 87, MCSO says
MCSO gives update on teen death case
Students at one Phoenix area high school are reacting to news that two of their own died in a shooting over the weekend. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach reports.
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - A homicide investigation is underway after two people were found dead between Mesa and Payson.
What we know:
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and a 17-year-old were found dead on May 27 off State Route 87 in the Mount Ord area.
While officials did not identify the 17-year-old, friends identified him as Evan Clark.
On May 30, MCSO said the two died from gunshot wounds.
"At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious," read a portion of the May 30 statement.
Dig deeper:
We have learned that the two left for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip at the Tonto National Forest, and never returned.
"It's pretty shocking," said Kylie Whattim, who worked with one of the victims.
As the investigation continues, friends have set up a memorial that overlooks the Valley on Camelback Mountain, at a spot where Kjolsrud and Clark often came to watch the sunset with friends.
"You just cherish all the memories and the laughs," said Iara Rosales, who worked with 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 you can do:
If you have any information, you're asked to call MCSO at 602-876-TIPS.