Man charged in deaths of two Arizona teens
Thomas Brown, 31, was arrested and charged Oct. 3, 2025 with two counts of first‑degree murder in the shooting deaths of high‑school students Evan Clark, 17, and Pandora Kjolsrud, 18. The teenagers’ bodies were discovered May 27, 2025 in a remote area of Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord after they failed to return from a camping trip; Maricopa County detectives say tips and witness reports led to Brown, whose statements to investigators were inconsistent with evidence and who allegedly provided false information about encountering the teens while camping and flying a drone.
Crime
Legal
📌 Key Facts
- Suspect: Thomas Brown, 31, arrested and booked into Maricopa County jail
- Victims: Evan Clark (17) and Pandora Kjolsrud (18); bodies found May 27, 2025 near Mount Ord in Tonto National Forest
- Charges: two counts of first‑degree murder filed Oct. 3, 2025; investigators say Brown provided false and misleading information and did not voluntarily turn himself in
- Officials: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Capt. David Lee spoke at the Oct. 3 press conference; victim’s mother Simone Kjolsrud issued a statement
📚 Contextual Background
- The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is the primary county law enforcement agency for Maricopa County, Arizona.
- Tonto National Forest is a U.S. national forest in Arizona, and Mount Ord is a geographic feature located within Tonto National Forest near the city of Mesa, Arizona.