Three ‘fairly mummified’ bodies found near remote Rocky Mountains campsite: officials

Three “fairly mummified” bodies were discovered in a remote Rocky Mountains campsite in Colorado this week — and may have been there since last year, authorities said.

One of the bodies was located by a hiker on Sunday, while two others were found by authorities on Monday, Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie said.

Two of the bodies were found inside a small, zipped-up tent while the other was outside in the camp.

The bodies were found in a wooded, remote area, away from areas typically frequented by hikers.

“This is not a typical occurrence anywhere, by any means,” Murdie said.

The bodies were “fairly mummified,” meaning they likely were there through the winter — possibly even since last fall, Murdie said.

Due to their advanced decomposition, performing autopsies will take at least three weeks, he said.

“Whether they froze to death or the combination of starved or froze, that’s what it sure seems like,” Murdie said. The official causes of death won’t be known until the autopsies are completed.

Authorities also discovered personal belongings, tarps, and a lean-to built from logs over a fire pit near the campsite.

The sheriff’s department is looking into past missing person reports to see if they can figure out what happened.

The identities of the deceased will not be shared until their loved ones are notified.

While many campers and hikers die of carbon monoxide poisoning from using heaters in enclosed spaces, Murdie said this case appears to be different based on how the bodies were found and the remoteness of the camp.

The sheriff’s department does not think the discovery puts any hikers or campers in the area at risk.

With Post wires