Episode Details

Ken Nielson talks about the 2 hunters in Colorado that were missing and the theories of their demise and how this relates to MLM with Peter Mingils.

Ken Nielson talks about a recent incident of a hunting expedition accident and stories about MLM

On September 12, 2025, two experienced 25-year-old outdoorsmen, Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah, were struck and killed by lightning during an elk hunting trip in the remote South San Juan Wilderness area of the Rio Grande National Forest, near the Colorado-New Mexico border in Conejos County, Colorado. The men were hunting in Game Management Unit 81, west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir, when a severe thunderstorm caught them off guard. They were last in contact with family on September 11, around 3 p.m., when Porter shared his location via a Garmin InReach satellite device. Their vehicle, containing camping gear and backpacks but no hunting or harvesting equipment, was found parked at a trailhead at about 10,000 feet elevation. ### Discovery and Search Efforts The men were reported missing on September 13 after failing to check in. A massive six-day search involving multiple agencies—including the Conejos County Sheriff's Office, Saguache County Search & Rescue, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, and volunteers on foot, horseback, and with dogs—covered rugged terrain two miles above the Rio de Los Pinos trail. Their bodies were discovered on September 18, lying on the ground in camouflage clothing under a large tree in a lightly wooded area. Initial examinations showed no obvious trauma or foul play, but wet clothes in their vehicle hinted at exposure to the storms reported in the area on September 12–13, which included severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning. ### Cause of Death and Autopsy Details Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin confirmed on September 22, following autopsies, that the deaths were caused by a direct lightning strike to the ground, delivering an "intense electrical jolt" that killed them instantly—described as "split-second" with no time for fear or pain. Evidence included small burn marks (like those from a nearly extinguished match), singed hair, and injuries consistent with high-voltage electrocution. It's unclear if the strike hit the tree first or the men directly, but Martin noted it "consumed them" while they sought shelter. The official autopsy report is expected in 8–10 weeks. This incident marks a tragic reminder of lightning risks in Colorado's high country, where such strikes have caused 25 deaths since 2006, though overall U.S. fatalities have declined due to better forecasting. ### Background on the Victims – **Andrew Porter (25, Asheville, NC)**: An avid outdoorsman and recent college graduate, Porter was engaged to Bridget Murphy, who led public updates on the search. The couple had previously spent a month elk hunting in Montana's Crazy Mountains. Murphy described him as someone who "didn't do anything wrong" and was simply trying to return to the vehicle as the storm approached. – **Ian Stasko (25, Salt Lake City, UT)**: A close friend of Porter's and fellow experienced hunter, Stasko shared Porter's passion for backcountry adventures. Family noted their satellite device was malfunctioning, complicating early rescue efforts. The community response has been widespread, with tributes highlighting their friendship and love for the outdoors. Wyoming and Utah hunters have echoed warnings about afternoon thunderstorms as the top backcountry hazard during archery elk season. No foul play is suspected, and the case is closed pending fin