In October 2022, the Vance family—Christine Vance, 41, Rebecca Vance, 42, and Rebecca’s 14-year-old son (whose identity remains withheld)—went missing in Colorado, sparking an extensive search and a wave of concern from friends and family. The mysterious disappearance left many people confused and wondering what could have happened to this family. However, the grim truth behind their disappearance only came to light in July, when their remains were discovered, decomposed and in an advanced state. The autopsy results were both shocking and devastating, revealing that the Vance family had succumbed to the tragic fate of starvation and exposure to the unforgiving elements.
The Colorado Sun and Associated Press reported that autopsies conducted by the Gunnison County coroner’s office and released this week revealed that Christine Vance, 41, Rebecca Vance, 42, and Rebecca’s 14-year-old son, who has not been publicly identified, all died of hypothermia and starvation.
Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes previously claimed the group was “off the grid,” living in a tent and eating only canned goods, according to The New York Times.
According to the Sun, the 14-year-old weighed just 40 pounds. When he died He was also spotted carrying a rosary given to the group by his half-sister Trevala Jara before they disappeared, according to the AP.
I really don’t wish this on anyone, he told the Jára publication. I look forward to a time when I will be content and only be able to remember happy moments.
The Gunnison County Coroner’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE.
Many family members, including Jara, were informed of the group’s intention to “live off the land,” according to the Times.
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the current political climate in the United States have made Rebecca increasingly interested in the state of the world, according to the paper.
Jara claimed that although Christine had no intention of accompanying them, she ended up doing so “because she thought that if she was with them, they would have a better chance of survival”.
“We tried to stop them. The Colorado Gazette previously quoted Jar as saying, “But they wouldn’t listen. “Their decisions were made,”
According to the AP and Sun agencies, a tourist discovered the trio’s camp in July.
Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie earlier told ABC News that a third body was found outside the camp, while the two dead were found inside a small tent. All three bodies were “quite mummified” when discovered, he continued.
They weren’t crazy. Jara assured the Gazette that Becky was not crazy. She thought she was taking the necessary steps to save her son.
The heartbreaking story of the Vance family serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity of human choices and the lengths people are willing to go in search of their beliefs and convictions. It also raises awareness of the importance of understanding and supporting individuals who may choose to take unconventional paths, as their decisions can have profound consequences.
Ultimately, the tragic fate of the Vance family leaves us with a deep sense of sadness and reflection as we try to understand the unimaginable challenges they faced as they sought life off the grid.