A 46-year-old solo hiker was killed by a pack of mountain lions on New Year’s Day in a remote area of Colorado, in a rare and fatal wildlife encounter captured in newly released security footage.
Kristen Marie Kovatch, a medical assistant and experienced ultramarathon runner, was hiking the Crosier Mountain Trail when she was ambushed. Her body was later discovered by a pair of hikers who saw one of the lions standing over her. They scared the animal away by throwing rocks before confirming the tragic scene.
Investigation and Response
An autopsy by the Larimer County Coroner's Office determined Kovatch died from asphyxia after a lion compressed her neck. In response, park rangers euthanized two mountain lions, a male and a female, found near the site. A necropsy by Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed human DNA on one of the euthanized animals.
Officials initially searched for a third lion believed to be involved but have since ended that effort. Security footage from the area shows several lions moving through the vicinity before the attack.
Family and Community Mourn
In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, Kovatch’s brother, Jeffrey, wrote, “She died doing something she loved deeply, hiking and taking in the beauty of Colorado and its public lands... Kristen was so loved by our immediate and extended family, her friends, and her coworkers.”
Her former employer, UCHealth, where she worked for a decade, also expressed condolences, calling her death a “tragic loss.”
Rarity of Mountain Lion Attacks
Attacks by mountain lions are extremely rare in the United States and Canada, with only about 130 recorded in the last century—fewer than 30 of them fatal. Colorado, which has a significant mountain lion population, has documented 28 attacks over the past 36 years.
Wildlife experts advise that anyone encountering a mountain lion should face the animal, back away slowly without turning their back, and throw rocks or sticks if it becomes aggressive.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable dangers present in wilderness areas, even for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.
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