Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identification of the deceased female found near the 40-mile-marker of Boulder Canyon Drive on Saturday, February 15, 2025, to be 18-year-old Megan Trussell, who was reported missing to the CU-Boulder Police Department on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation of the case on Saturday afternoon, after Megan’s body was found in unincorporated Boulder County.

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy today, February 18, 2025. Based on our joint investigation thus far, we do not believe that there is, or was, a threat to the community.

Additional investigation will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Office. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will conduct additional testing as part of their normal autopsy process. The final cause and manner of death will be determined by the Boulder County Coroner’s Office once all studies have been completed.

We are still interested in hearing from anyone who may have additional information about Megan’s movements on Sunday, February 9, the last day she was seen alive, or any relevant information. Please submit any tips to BCSOtips@bouldercounty.gov.

The incident has been documented under Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case report #25-00778.

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Press release issued on February 17, 2025

UPDATE #1: Deceased Female Found Near 40-Mile Marker Boulder Canyon Dr.

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the discovery of a deceased female near the 40-mile marker of Boulder Canyon. We understand the community’s concerns and are committed to gathering all relevant facts. Unfortunately, it is too soon to determine what caused the death. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death.

Detectives have contacted the family, and we ask for patience as the investigation remains ongoing. We will share updates as soon as they become available.

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Original Press Release. Feb. 15, 2025, at 5:24 PM

Deceased Female Found Near 40-Mile Marker Boulder Canyon Dr.

Boulder County, Colo. - This morning at 10:41 a.m., the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office was notified by City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers of a deceased female found near the 40-mile marker of Boulder Canyon.

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office detectives responded to the scene and located a female matching the description of a student recently reported missing to the University of Colorado Police Department.

This death investigation is being jointly investigated by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. The decedent’s name is not being released at this time, pending identification confirmation and notification of next of kin. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will also determine the cause and manner of death.

Boulder Canyon Drive was temporarily closed to allow investigators access to recover the decedent, conduct the investigation, and for the safety of first responders working in the area due hazardous road conditions created by the weather. The decedent was found in hard-to-reach terrain, requiring a technical evacuation including the need to rappel.

Assisting agencies in this case included the City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, University of Colorado Police Department, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services, Patrol and Detectives, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Boulder Emergency Squad, Nederland Fire Protection District, Boulder County Coroner’s Office, and the Boulder Police Department.

The incident has been documented under Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case report #25-00778.

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/s/ PIO V. Montez