COLORADO; Attempt To Live Off The Grid Ends In Tragedy.
Three members of a Colorado family have died while attempting to live “off the grid” in the Rocky Mountains.
The emaciated remains of Christine Vance, her sister Rebecca and Rebecca’s 14-year old son, were found in a remote campsite this month.
Rebecca Vance’s stepsister Trevala Jara, told the Washington Post on Wednesday that “She didn’t like the way the world was going, and she thought it would be better if her, her son and Christine were alone, away from everybody.”
In early August, the group came to their stepsister’s home “to say goodbye”.
Mrs Jara told the Gazette that they had tried to stop them, but their minds were made up.
The group, all three from Colorado Springs,- including the sisters who were in their 40s – had no outdoor survival experience and had watched online videos to learn about how to survive in Colorado’s rugged backcountry, living away from modern technology and lifestyle on all levels.
It appeared that the group began camping last summer and died over the winter.
On Tuesday a coroner ruled that they probably died from starvation or exposure during the cold winter.
Investigators however say their cause of death has not yet been determined and will not be released until toxicology reports are complete.
A hiker had on July 9, stumbled upon their badly decomposed remains at the Gold Creek Campground in the Gunnison National Forest.
The Gunnison County Coroner, Mr. Michael Barnes said that two bodies were found in a tent, while another was found outside, at an elevation of around 9,500ft (2,900m).
Mr Barnes told AP News that it appeared they attempted to construct a shelter, but had given up as winter arrived and instead spent time inside their tent in a survival mode.
Photo Credit: Southwest Journal