Two sisters and a teenage son who told family last year they would live “off the grid” died of hypothermia and malnutrition as they endured the elements in the Colorado wilderness, according to newly released autopsy reports.
Christine Vance, 41, Rebecca Vance, 42, and Rebecca’s 14-year-old son were identified in July after three “partially mummified” bodies were discovered in a remote campsite in the Gunnison National Forest.
The 14-year-old, who was not named publicly because of his age, weighed just 40 pounds[.]
[Awful. The “off the grid” fantasy is dangerous for all but the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Unless you already have proven skills at hunting, foraging, and building shelters, you have no business trying to live off the land — and certainly not to take a 14-year-old kid with you. Especially in a harsh climate like Colorado. If you want to disconnect from modern urban society, buy a small house in a small town and don’t get cable TV or Internet. — Ed]
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