What began as a joyful Memorial Day weekend getaway ended in heartbreak and unanswered questions for a tight-knit Arizona community. Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17 — high school sweethearts from Phoenix — set off to celebrate the end of their junior year with a camping adventure into the wilds of Tonto National Forest. But their journey into nature’s beauty took a devastating turn, leaving families and friends grappling with grief and shock.
On the morning of May 27, the lifeless bodies of Pandora and Evan were discovered near Mount Ord, a remote, rugged area about 90 minutes from Phoenix. Both bore gunshot wounds, and authorities have confirmed they are investigating the deaths as homicides, suspecting foul play. The Gila County Sheriff’s Office remains tight-lipped, with few details released so far.
The couple had embarked on their trip on May 25, eager for a peaceful escape among pine trees and mountain air — a moment to savor the last days of youth before their senior year. But when neither teen checked in with their families over the holiday weekend, concern quickly turned to dread. Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, retraced her son’s planned route to Mount Ord, searching desperately for any sign of him, but found nothing.
By May 27, deputies made a grim discovery — Pandora and Evan’s bodies near their campsite, in a location favored by adventurers seeking solitude away from developed campgrounds. Investigators believe the teens were killed just a day after they arrived, on May 26. Despite the tragedy, no arrests have yet been made.
In a heartfelt message, Sandra Sweeney described Evan as “my only child and my beloved son,” expressing the depth of her grief as “insurmountable.” She painted a picture of a bright, kind, and entrepreneurial young man with an “old soul” who had written her heartfelt letters, including one on Mother’s Day that made her both laugh and cry.
Pandora’s family remembers her as a radiant presence, a beacon of light with a “vivacious personality and infectious smile.” She had a magnetic love for people and animals alike, with a rare gift for making everyone around her feel truly special.
The loss of these two promising young lives has sent shockwaves through their school, their neighborhoods, and the wider Arizona community. Friends and classmates have flooded social media with tributes, sharing photos and memories in an effort to hold on to the joy Pandora and Evan brought into the world.
As investigators continue to search for answers, the haunting questions linger: Who could commit such a crime? Why? And what transpired in the hours between their arrival and the tragic end?
Pandora and Evan’s story is a somber reminder of how quickly hope can be shattered. Yet, in the face of overwhelming sorrow, their spirits live on in the memories of those who loved them. May justice come swiftly — and may these bright young souls finally rest in peace.