MOAB, UT – A Colorado woman and her young son were discovered dead at Canyonlands National Park this week in what authorities are investigating as an apparent murder-suicide.
Park rangers found the bodies Thursday morning after responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in a no-camping zone near Shafer Trail in the Island in the Sky district. The 6-year-old boy was located inside the vehicle while the woman’s body lay outside.
Rangers immediately attempted life-saving measures on the child and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The woman was already deceased when first responders reached the scene.
Both victims had been reported missing by their Colorado family on Wednesday, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Lehi Lacy confirmed the two were from Colorado but declined to release their names out of respect for the grieving family.
“Based on all evidence so far, this case is being investigated as a homicide and suicide,” Lacy said in a statement, though he emphasized the investigation remains active.
Canyonlands National Park covers more than 337,000 acres of dramatic desert landscape near Moab. The Shafer Trail area where the bodies were found is known for its remote terrain and stunning canyon views, attracting hikers and off-road enthusiasts from around the world.
Authorities have not disclosed what led them to suspect the mother may have harmed her child before taking her own life. The sheriff’s office said it would release the victims’ identities once the family grants permission.
The National Park Service and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are jointly handling the investigation. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact local authorities.
