Fort Collins Woman Dies After Fall in Rocky Mountain National Park

Authorities have identified Debra Stith, a 66-year-old woman from Fort Collins, Colorado, who died from injuries sustained in a fall near Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rangers were notified she was overdue on July 1 after she failed to return from a planned day hike, and her body was found the following morning on a scree slope near the lake, a challenging area known for its rocky terrain and elevation gain. Stith, who retired in October 2024, had a background in chemical engineering and was an avid outdoor enthusiast. Meanwhile, unidentified human remains were also found near the park's Alpine Visitor Center on June 18, with officials still working to identify them amid ongoing investigations into other missing hikers in the park. Additionally, in Cochise County, Arizona, Mary Bearse, a 60-year-old woman from Los Angeles, was found deceased in a remote area near Muleshoe Ranch, with her dog rescued by authorities. These incidents highlight the inherent risks associated with remote and rugged outdoor environments, prompting continued search and rescue efforts and investigations.