Months after college student Megan Trussell was found dead in Colorado, officials have released the results of their investigation — but her family is pushing back, challenging the conclusions.
The case of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a University of Colorado Boulder student who vanished in February 2025, captured national attention. Now, as authorities close the investigation into her tragic death, questions and heartbreak still remain.
On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) revealed the heartbreaking conclusion to the months-long investigation into the death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell.
According to officials, Megan died from the toxic effects of amphetamine, with hypothermia listed as a contributing factor. The manner of death was officially ruled a suicide.
Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin stated, “Our opinion was based on several factors, including but not limited to toxicology results and the presence of undigested prescription medication found during the examination.”
Sheriff Curtis Johnson expressed sorrow over the findings, saying, “This outcome is heartbreaking. Our hope is that the findings may bring some closure to Megan’s loved ones and to the broader community.”
Megan Trussell was last seen on the night of February 9, 2025, leaving her dorm at 9:36 p.m. Minutes later, security footage captured her walking alone across campus at 9:52 p.m. Cell phone data later revealed she had traveled west toward Boulder Canyon Drive, with her final signal pinging near the 40-mile marker. By February 12, her phone had gone completely dark, no longer connecting to any networks.
As concern grew, the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department (CUPD) issued a public alert on February 14, urging the community to help locate the missing student. The alert described what Megan had been wearing the night she vanished and confirmed she was last seen at her residence hall. CUPD also noted they were working closely with local and state law enforcement agencies in the search.
On February 15, Megan’s body was discovered in a remote area of Boulder Canyon, not far from where her phone had last pinged. The discovery sent shockwaves through the campus and wider community, which had been holding out hope for her safe return.
Weeks later, on March 5, a significant clue emerged. A community member walking along a bike path near the 39.6-mile marker of Highway 36 found Megan’s purse. Inside was an empty prescription bottle labeled with her name—an unsettling detail that immediately prompted a call to authorities and added another layer to the ongoing investigation.
A surprising twist emerged on March 2, when Megan Trussell’s phone was traced to a resale kiosk inside a Boulder grocery store. Investigators discovered it had been sold by Elliot Michael Beafore, a 50-year-old unhoused man, who claimed he received the device from another individual in similar circumstances.
Beafore was arrested on May 14 and charged with misdemeanor theft and providing false information to a pawnbroker. He was later released on bond.
Authorities confirmed that neither Beafore nor anyone connected to the recovered items had any known contact with Megan, and that the phone’s appearance in the resale system appeared unrelated to her death.
A coordinated investigation involving the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab, the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department, and the FBI worked tirelessly to piece together Megan’s final hours. Through digital records, surveillance footage, witness interviews, and key card access logs, authorities were able to reconstruct much of her movements before her tragic death.
Following a thorough review, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with investigators, concluded that there was no evidence Megan had been physically harmed or killed by another person. The findings pointed to a heartbreaking, self-inflicted tragedy—one that continues to leave unanswered questions and a lasting impact on her community.
Despite the official conclusions, Megan’s family has strongly rejected the findings.
In a heartfelt statement shared with People magazine on May 27, Megan’s mother, Vanessa Diaz, voiced deep frustration and pain.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time,” Vanessa said, “and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has made it much more difficult with their callous attitude and obvious bias since the start of the investigation.”
Her words highlight the ongoing anguish and distrust surrounding the case, as the family continues to seek answers and justice.
Vanessa also emphasized that she and her husband, Joe Trussell—Megan’s father—are determined to bring attention to what they believe was a “mishandling of the investigation.”
A spokesperson for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office did not address the family’s specific concerns but noted that the agency generally limits public comments on suicide cases out of respect for the dignity of those affected and to ensure such sensitive matters are handled with the utmost seriousness.
On May 19, Megan’s father, Joe Trussell, took to Facebook to share a heartfelt message reflecting on the ongoing investigation. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support and explained that he had been quietly processing everything behind the scenes.
As a grieving parent, Joe underscored the importance of a thorough and impartial investigation whenever a loved one dies under unclear circumstances. He added that he would accept the investigation’s outcome—but only if it is fully supported by credible evidence.
However, Joe also voiced serious doubts about the sheriff’s conclusions, pointing to numerous unresolved questions and evidence that, in his view, suggest possible criminal activity. He stated that everyone who has examined the case alongside the family agrees that the official narrative simply doesn’t add up.
Urging the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to take meaningful action, Joe called for a renewed commitment to solving what he described as a deeply troubling mystery. Despite the pain and frustration, he remains hopeful that the agency will ultimately do the right thing.
In response to the investigation’s conclusion, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Seeking Truth and Transparency” has been launched to support an independent inquiry into Megan’s death.
Organizer Rebecca Perez, speaking on behalf of Vanessa Diaz, shared, “The findings feel premature and do not align with crucial details uncovered by friends, family, and community members who have been closely involved in the search for answers.”
The fundraiser outlines costs for a private autopsy review, legal support, private investigators, expert consultations, and lab testing. As of now, the campaign has raised $70,695 toward its $80,000 goal, with nearly 1,000 generous donations.