Cause Of Death Determined For Maroon Bells Campers
PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Pitkin County Coroner's office identified two suspected lightning strike victims as 41-year-old Jeffery Beard and 14-year-old Cameron Beard.
The two were from Colorado Springs and died on July 16 near Aspen.
The coroner's office investigated the deaths and determined the cause of death for both to be carbon monoxide poisoning. Officials said it happened by the use of a camp stove within the enclosed space of a tent.
Though a lightning strike to the campers' tent was originally thought to be the cause, the sheriff's office said there was evidence to suggest carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause of death, as well as lightning.
Autopsies revealed physical evidence of carbon monoxide, and both bodies had burns.