Elk hunters found dead in southern Colorado were struck by lightning, coroner says

Two elk hunters found dead in southern Colorado after a massive search were the victims of a lightning strike, authorities confirmed Monday.

Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin, speaking to The Colorado Sun, confirmed Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko were killed by lightning while hunting southwest of Monte Vista.

The hunters were found below a tree and had slight burns on their bodies, Martin said.

“A slight burn is like if you take a match and stick it on your arm,” he said. “And there were only two or three of them,” he said.

He said the hunters’ deaths were likely instantaneous, but he could not confirm the exact time of death.

“That kind of death is just instant. It’s like you’re alive and now you’re not,” Martin said. “Just that quick. Split second.”

Bridget Murphy, Porter’s fian