Two Teens Found Dead in Hidden Forest Spot and Police Say Something Is Not Right
Two Teens Found in Arizona Forest
Sad Discovery in Tonto National Forest
Something very sad happened in Arizona. The bodies of two teenagers, Pandora Kjolsrud (18) and Evan Clark (17), were found in the Tonto National Forest. This forest is near Mount Ord, about an hour and a half away from Phoenix. The police say the teens died from gunshot wounds. They think someone hurt them on purpose.
The teens went camping for Memorial Day weekend. But they never came home. Their bodies were found on Tuesday morning, May 27. The medical examiner said they died the day before, on Monday, May 26. Both deaths are being called homicides, which means someone killed them.
Families Remember Their Loved Ones
Pandora and Evan’s families are very sad. People have made GoFundMe pages to help their parents pay for funeral costs and to support them as they grieve. Evan’s mom, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, shared how much she loved her son. She wrote, “This last week Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable. I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him. It is a small comfort to share some things about this boy who was on his way to becoming a wonderful man.”
She said Evan was not like other teens. He was funny, smart, and kind. He liked to write letters to his mom. He wrote her a special letter on Mother’s Day that made her both laugh and cry. “He was special. He deserved a long life,” she said.
Sandra also shared a Buddhist verse to help her find peace: “Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore. With the mind and body liberated, you shall suffer no more.”
On Pandora’s GoFundMe page, her family said she loved animals, especially her two little dogs. She always stopped to say hi to every dog she saw. Her family wrote, “Pandora Kjolsrud was just 18 years old when her life was violently taken on May 26th, 2025. She had a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many.”
Pandora enjoyed music and played the violin, cello, and guitar. She loved being outside, camping, riding horses, kayaking, and hiking with friends and family.
Police Start a Careful Investigation
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The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is working hard to solve the case. They told ABC 15 Arizona, “At this time, our focus is on conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones. We are coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts.”
Friends and family hope police will find out what happened to Pandora and Evan.
GoFundMe Used to Help Families
People in the community are donating money to help the families as they grieve. The GoFundMe pages share memories and happy times about Pandora and Evan. These pages also help pay for funerals and other costs.
Family Thankful After Hannah Is Found Safe
The Search for Hannah Kobayashi
Another story shows how people come together when someone goes missing. Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman, did not show up for her flight from Los Angeles to New York in November. Her family got strange texts saying someone was trying to steal her identity. They became worried and reported her missing.
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, flew from Hawaii to LA to look for her. Sadly, he died while searching for his daughter. People started a GoFundMe to help pay for the search and also for Ryan’s funeral.
Hannah’s sister, Syndi Kobayashi, wrote on the GoFundMe page: “While the community support have been truly astonishing, the scope and intensity of the search are expanding, and so are the expenses with them. We are raising money to support the continuing mission to bring Hannah home.”
Hannah’s Safe Return and What Happens Next
After some time, police found out that Hannah had crossed the border into Mexico on foot. The LAPD said her disappearance was “voluntary,” which means she left on her own. The Kobayashi family felt relieved and thankful that Hannah was safe.
On December 4, Hannah’s sister wrote an update: “The donations helped pay for food and water for the search teams, transportation for our family, communication devices, a media campaign to make people aware of Hannah’s case, temporary places to stay, and support for our family members.”
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She added, “As my late father’s next of kin, I’m solely responsible for costs associated with his passing and funeral. Your donations will also help me pay for our father’s funeral expenses.”
Although Hannah was found, her family still worried about her and planned to hire a lawyer and private investigator. In a later update, the family said they would stop taking donations. “We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us. We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored.”
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free and private hotline, open every day, all day.
Police Shooting of Autistic Teen
What Happened to Victor Perez
A very serious event happened in Idaho. Victor Perez, a 17-year-old boy with autism and a physical disability, was shot by police in Pocatello on April 5. Victor was having a hard time and could not stand up well. His sister was trying to help him in their front yard.
A neighbor called the police to help calm things down. Four police officers arrived. Just 30 seconds after they got there, they shot Victor nine times. The police said they saw Victor holding a large knife when they arrived. They told him to drop it, but he did not listen. They said Victor stood up and walked toward them with the knife. That is when they shot him.
Chief Roger Schei explained, “We understand the concern and emotion surrounding the shooting which occurred on April 5, 2025. At approximately 5:22pm, Pocatello police officers were dispatched in response to a reported disturbance.”
He also played a 911 call where a neighbor said Victor had a knife and looked like he was under the influence. The neighbor said Victor might have hurt himself.
Victor’s Condition and Family’s Struggle
After being shot, Victor was taken to the hospital. He was in very bad shape. The GoFundMe page for Victor says, “Victor is currently in critical condition at the hospital, and his leg has already been amputated. Doctors have advised his family to prepare for the worst.”
Chief Schei said, “In situations like this, officers must make decisions in seconds. They assess threats, not just to themselves, but to those nearby. In this case, two individuals were within a few feet of an armed, non-compliant individual – the risk was immediate and the situation rapidly evolving.”
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This case is being studied by a group outside the police department to make sure everything is fair. The community is very concerned about what happened to Victor.
Madeleine McCann’s Family Still Waits for Answers
Eighteen Years Since Madeleine Disappeared
It has been 18 years since Madeleine McCann, a British girl, went missing in Portugal. She was only three years old when she disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in 2007. People all over Europe tried to help find her, but the mystery was never solved.
This year, police said they found evidence that Madeleine may have died long ago. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, wrote a message to thank everyone who still supports them. They said, “As we arrive at the 18th anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction, we’d like to thank our faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine. The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this.”
They also said, “May is also Madeleine’s birthday – her 22nd this year. No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day. We continue to ‘celebrate’ her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.”
New Evidence in Madeleine’s Case
The main suspect in the case is Christian Brueckner, a man from Germany. Years ago, police found a strange grave in a factory he owned. It turned out to be a dead dog, but they also found computers and other things that showed Brueckner was interested in hurting children. They found lots of girls’ clothes, toys, masks, chemicals, and even guns at the factory. There were also pictures of girls aged four to five.
A photo also showed Brueckner near the place where Madeleine disappeared. He was arrested later for another crime and is now in jail. Police believe the evidence means Madeleine may not be alive, but they have not solved the case.
If you or someone you know needs help after reading this story, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673). You can also chat online at online.rainn.org.
Wyoming Family Faces Tragedy
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A Family Heartbreak in Wyoming
A horrible event happened in Wyoming. Olivia Blackmer, age seven, was the only survivor after her mother, Tranyelle Harshman, shot her and her three sisters. The girls were ages two, seven, and nine. After five days in the hospital, Olivia died from her wounds. Her mother had already passed away.
Olivia’s stepmom, Katelynn Blackmer, shared on GoFundMe, “Olivia is with her sisters now. She gained her angel wings yesterday at 3:44pm. She fought so so hard up til the last minute! Her body and her brain had been through too much, medication helped but we reached a point where medical options were exhausted and her body only continued to get worse.”
She added, “We are grateful she hung on as long as she did so we could get some valuable time with our sweet baby girl the last five days. We want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support for our family.”
How the Tragedy Happened
On the day of the shooting, Tranyelle Harshman called 911 and told the police what happened. She told them where to find the girls in the house. Police found the girls with gunshot wounds to their heads. Olivia was still alive at first, but she died later in the hospital. After the shooting, Tranyelle was also still alive but passed away soon after.
Katelynn Blackmer wrote, “Olivia and Brailey know how loved they were by all of us! This is going to be extremely hard, please keep our family in your prayers as we figure out how to grieve this horrific tragedy day to day.”
People are donating to help the family pay for medical and funeral costs.
Helping Others in Times of Trouble
These stories are very sad, but they also show how people try to help each other in hard times. Families and friends come together to remember their loved ones. Communities raise money to help with costs. Police and helpers work to find out what happened and make things right.
If you or your family ever needs help, remember there are people to talk to. There are phone numbers and hotlines you can call. You are never alone when things get tough.
Remembering and Supporting Each Other
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When bad things happen, it is important to remember the people who were lost. We can help their families by being kind and showing support. If you want to help, you can donate to GoFundMe pages or send kind messages.
It is also good to talk about your feelings. If you feel sad or scared, talk to someone you trust. Adults, teachers, and friends want to help you feel better.
Staying Safe and Looking Out for Others
These events remind us to look out for each other. If you see someone who needs help, tell an adult or call for help. It is important to care about the people around us.
Police and helpers are working hard to keep everyone safe. If you ever feel worried, remember to talk to someone you trust. There is always hope, and people are here to help.
If You Need Help
If you ever feel sad, scared, or in trouble, there are hotlines you can call for help. The National Suicide Prevention Helpline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800.656.HOPE (4673).
You can always talk to a parent, teacher, or counselor. Remember, you are not alone.
We Are Stronger Together
When sad things happen, people come together to help. Even if we feel upset, we can support each other and find hope for the future. Always remember, kindness and caring can make a big difference.
If you want to help families in need, you can learn more about their stories on GoFundMe and find ways to give. Every little bit helps, and together, we can make the world a kinder place.
Let’s remember those we lost and support the people who love them. Stay safe, care for others, and never give up hope.
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