UPDATE 9/18 4:45 P.M.:
The Conejos County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) has released more information on the bodies of the two hunters who were found on Thursday.
According to CCSO, the bodies were found at approximately 11:00 a.m., two miles away from the Rio De Los Pinos Trail Head, following search efforts.
UPDATE 9/18 3:00 P.M.:
The organizer of the GoFundMe page dedicated to finding Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko and the Saguache County Search and Rescue team reports that their bodies have been found.
Their families have released the following statement:
"It is with a broken heart and through tears that I give you this update. Andrew and Ian have both been found deceased. Their bodies were discovered earlier today by Colorado Search and Rescue. I will provide another update tomorrow.
Please keep Andrew’s and Ian‘s families in your thoughts and prayers."
No additional information has been released at this time.
UPDATE 9/17 3 P.M.:
As of Wednesday afternoon, both hunters were still considered missing.
The fiancée of Porter, Bridget Murphy, shared an update on social media that there had been a confirmed sighting of the pair on Friday at 10 a.m. when they went back to the Rio Los Pinos trailhead.
"That gives us one more night and morning, we know they were safe before the storms," Murphy wrote. "Nothing has been found so far, but we have a lot of people out still right now. THANK YOU to everyone who showed up today and continues to support us. We are hopeful with continuing resources. Thank you all. Say a prayer, God wrap your arms around them and keep them safe, help us find them."
PREVIOUS:
For several days, a search effort has been underway for two missing hunters in southern Colorado.
According to the Conejos County Sheriff's office, they responded to the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead to make contact with two people who were reported overdue while elk hunting on Sept. 13. The trailhead is in the Rio Grande National Forest area. 25-year-old Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina and 25-year-old Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah were in the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir when they failed to check in with loved ones at a predetermined time. The Rio Grande National Forest is on the south side of the state and borders New Mexico. The family says they last had contact with them on Sept. 11.
Watch: Massive Search Effort Underway in Colorado for Two Missing Hunters
"The Vehicle that Andrew and Ian drove to the trailhead was located, but neither individual was there," part of a news release from the Conejos County Sheriff's Office reads. "Camping gear and backpacks were located in the vehicle, prompting Deputies to become concerned due to heavy rain and bad weather. Search and Rescue Operations were immediately put into place, resulting in a massive search. Air Operations, Multi-County and State Ground Teams, Dog Teams, Drone Teams, ATV’s and Local Volunteers are working the area."
News5 has been in contact with the Fiancée of Porter, Bridget Murphy, who shared a message with the public. Murphy had mentioned they had a Garmin GPS device with them, but it hasn't helped with the search.
"While they are experienced hunters, bad cold storms and fog came in quickly and continuously until Sunday morning," Porter's fiancée wrote. "A lot of their gear is still in their car at the trailhead, as we assume they probably thought they were going out for a quick evening hunt with clear weather."
Porter's fiancée is asking anyone with qualified hunting or hiking experience to help by coming to the Los Pinos Trailhead to help search on foot, emphasizing she wants the search effort to remain safe.
"I love Andrew with all of my heart, and if you can’t come help, please just pray for a safe recovery," Porter's fiancée added. "We are desperate for help and assistance on foot to support SAR [Search and Rescue] with the Conejo County Sheriff's Office, that has been so very supportive and dedicated to searching. We are grateful for their dedication and ongoing hard work."
If you were in the area on or before Sept. 13 and spotted either man and may have information on their possible location, you can contact the Conejos County Sheriff's Office at (719) 376-2196.
The family is also offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can find them. Bridget Murphy, Porter's fiancée, posted the following to social media Tuesday night:
"Nothing has been found -- and NOT for lack of effort. The Conejos County Sheriff Dept, NM SAR, La Plata SAR, Volunteers and so many other people have been INCREDIBLE and working hard. THANK YOU ALL SO SO DEEPLY.
With that said, I DO NOT WANT THIS TO DWINDLE. WE NEED MORE. If you or anyone you know can show up, get resources (we're trying to answer everyone's calls but if you see a resource that is possible please take it into your hands to call them and if approval for something is needed please reach out to me or the Sherriff Dept directly and we will get working on that), dog teams, horses, four wheelers, drones (with Sherriff Permission at checkin on base), anything that can help.
These two are very savvy and resourceful, I pray every minute they are trying their best to survive. They did everything right - they just got caught in the wrong sudden circumstances with a plan in mind that involved a quick hunt not all their gear.
WE ARE BEYOND GRATEFUL to everyone. PLEASE do not let this dwindle, we need to find them. I don't know what I would do without Andrew in my life - we are supposed to get married in just a few months. Ian is one of our closest friends who is one of the bravest people we all know.
Thank you and please show up, keep looking, if I cannot respond try to see what can be done on your end. There is no state too far, no resource too grand."
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