Breaking News illustration. (Isabella Hammond/CU Independent)
Update 2/19: The body found in Boulder Canyon on Saturday has been officially identified as Megan Trussell, the University of Colorado Boulder student who was first reported missing on Feb. 12.
While the investigation is still ongoing, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that they do not believe there currently is or ever was a threat to the community.
Community members who have any information regarding the case have been asked to submit tips to BCSOtips@bouldercounty.gov.
Update 2/16: A body matching the description of a missing University of Colorado Boulder student was found Saturday in Boulder Canyon. As of Sunday evening, the identity has not been officially confirmed, though it is believed to be Megan Trussell, who was last seen on Feb. 9 leaving her residence hall.
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers alerted Boulder Police Department authorities of the discovery at around 10:40 a.m. According to the Boulder Police Department, the body was in a “hard-to-reach” area of the canyon. The sheriff’s office said the identity of the body will be released once it is confirmed and family members are notified.
The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department is trying to locate CU Boulder student Megan Trussell, last seen Sunday around 9 p.m. leaving Hallet Hall. CUPD released a statement on Thursday requesting any information on the student’s whereabouts be reported.
Local, statewide and federal law enforcement agencies have been working with CUPD to find the student. Christine Mahoney, a CUPD spokesperson, said no further details of agency involvement could be disclosed.
“Our sole focus right now is extending and expanding all resources to find Megan,” she said.
Trussell, 18, was last seen wearing a blue/gray jacket, dark yoga-style pants and white platform sneakers. A flyer circulated via social media describes Trussell as a five-foot-two-inch female with red hair and brown eyes.
In the image of Trussell leaving the residence hall, she is wearing a blue and red cross-body bag. It has a red strap with a large red star in the center. In a post on Facebook, Vanessa Díaz, Trussell’s mother, noted the purse saying, “She doesn’t go anywhere without it.”
Flyers circulating on social media asking for information on Megan Trussell’s disappearance. (Vanessa Díaz/ Facebook)
CU Boulder Police Department provided an update Friday saying the university has been providing support for Megan Trussell’s family. CUPD’s embedded victim advocate is trained to provide emotional support to people who have experienced traumatic events.
“We’re just very thankful that we have this embedded victim advocate position and that they’ve been able to help provide support to family,” CUPD spokesperson Mahoney said.
CUPD requests if you have seen Megan or have any information on her whereabouts, call (303) 492-6666 and reference CUPD case #2025-0291.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Contact CU Independent Editor-in-Chief Jessi Sachs at jessica.sachs@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent News Editor Greta Kerkhoff at greta.kerkhoff@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Avery Clifton at avery.clifton@colorado.edu.
