Authorities recover body of missing University of Colorado student in Boulder Canyon

In the United States, a search had been ongoing for Megan Trussell, an 18-year-old University of Colorado Boulder student who went missing on February 9, 2025. Her family reported her missing after losing contact with her, prompting the University Police Department to issue a declaration of her disappearance later that week. Authorities quickly began coordinating efforts to find Trussell, involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. As part of the search, her mother noted her last known whereabouts, as she intended to visit her sister's apartment, but she never arrived there. On February 17, Boulder County deputies discovered a body matching Megan Trussell's description in a difficult-to-access area of Boulder Canyon. First responders had to rappel to the location of the recovery, which was reported to be hazardous due to weather conditions. The search teams were informed around 10:41 a.m. of the body's discovery, which raised concerns about the cause and manner of the young woman's death. As investigations proceeded, local authorities ensured Boulder Canyon Drive was temporarily closed for safety reasons while efforts to retrieve the body were coordinated. Megan Trussell was last seen wearing a blue/grey jacket, dark-colored yoga pants, and white sneakers. Her phone activity ceased shortly after 8:45 p.m. on February 9, which alarmed her family since continuous communication with her was typical. The absence of data usage and outgoing messages intensified the search, with her parents actively distributing flyers on campus in hopes of finding leads. They also appealed for assistance from the public, highlighting that Trussell carried a handmade handbag crafted by her mother, hoping it might be recognizable. Following the recovery of the body, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced that a joint investigation with the Boulder County Coroner's Office was underway to confirm the identity of the deceased and to ascertain the cause and manner of death. The community and university expressed their sorrow over this tragic situation, emphasizing the emotional toll it would have on those impacted by Megan’s disappearance. Resources for grief counseling and support were also provided to students and community members to help facilitate the healing process during this distressing time.