A joint press release from the Chaffee County Sheriff and the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office came out this afternoon reporting that the cause of death of both students, Kaden Matsuda (age 19 from Ridgway, CO) and Jackson Donlon (age 20 from Queensbury, NY) was multiple blunt force injuries and their deaths were instant. It cannot be determined if the weather conditions had an effect on their equipment failure.
According to the release, “The investigation showed that Jackson was beginning to rappel from a primary anchor point on a rock substrate. That anchor appears to have been backed up by a piton and a secondary anchor made of rock substrate. Kaden was attached via his personal anchor device to the same anchor points as well as the primary anchor point. The anchor had a catastrophic failure of unknown cause. Both then fell a substantial distance (exact distance unknown). It is unknown if the heavy snowstorm had a negative impact leading to the incident, but it did not play a direct contributing factor in their death.”
The Sheriff added, “Kaden and Jackson lived life at the highest peaks, chasing freedoms and panoramic views that most of us only see in pictures. We hope their families and friends find strength in the memories of their vibrant spirits.
While their lives were far too short, they spent their final moments together surrounded by the majestic beauty of Chaffee County’s high peaks that they loved. There is also relief knowing neither of them suffered.”
