A 31-year-old man has been charged with the murders of two teenagers who were hiking in Arizona, in what authorities have described as a “senseless, violent act.” Thomas Brown, a military veteran, faces two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Evan Clark, 17, and Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, whose bodies were found on May 27 in Mount Ord.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the teens had been camping with friends and were reported missing when they failed to return. Officers discovered evidence suggesting something had been dragged from the campsite before locating the bodies, both of which had been shot multiple times.
Investigators received tips that Brown had been camping in the area at the same time and was acting “very strangely.” During questioning, Brown admitted to encountering two individuals matching the victims’ descriptions but denied any involvement. However, DNA evidence placed him inside the teens’ SUV and on their bodies, contradicting his claims. A pair of gloves stained with his blood was also found near the vehicle.
Brown was arrested at his home on Thursday and booked into Maricopa County jail. Officials believe he acted alone and that there was no prior connection between him and the victims. “They were, as far as we know, complete strangers,” said Captain David Lee.
Brown served in the Arizona Army National Guard from October 2013 to December 2022, including a deployment to Djibouti, Africa. The victims’ families have spoken of their devastation, with Pandora’s mother, Simone Kjolsrud, describing her daughter as “a beautiful, brilliant light.” GoFundMe pages for both teenagers have each raised $36,000.
