The woman who died after a mountain lion attack while hiking on New Year’s Day has been identified by authorities.
The Larimer County Coroner’s Office said in a news release on Monday, Jan. 5, that 46-year-old Kristen Marie Kovatch died of asphyxia caused by compression of her neck. Officials said her injuries were consistent with a mountain lion attack, and her death was ruled an accident.
On the day of the incident, Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed it was investigating a suspected fatal mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County.
According to officials, a group of hikers discovered Kristen’s body on the trail around 12:15 p.m. local time and saw a mountain lion nearby. As they approached, the hikers threw rocks, successfully scaring the animal away. They then attempted to help the victim but were unable to find a pulse.
In a Facebook statement, Kristen’s brother, Jeffrey Kovatch, said the family is “still in shock” as they try to process the loss.
“She died doing something she loved deeply — hiking and taking in the beauty of Colorado and its public lands,” he wrote. “I keep hoping this is all just a nightmare I’ll wake up from.”
He described Kristen as deeply loved by her family, friends, and coworkers, calling her a devoted aunt, a compassionate caretaker to her elderly parents, and a beloved younger sister.
A spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife previously told NBC News that Kristen was likely hiking alone at the time of the attack.
Following the discovery of her body, a coordinated search operation was launched involving Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Estes Park police, and Glen Haven Area Volunteer Firefighters.
Officials later confirmed that two mountain lions were located and euthanized. A necropsy was conducted to test for disease, and human DNA was reportedly found on all four paws of one of the male lions, according to CBS affiliate KCNC.
On Monday, authorities announced that the search for a possible third mountain lion had concluded and that the trail where the attack occurred has since reopened.
The last fatal mountain lion attack in Colorado occurred in 1999, officials said. While encounters with humans are rare, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has recorded 28 mountain lion attacks since 1990.
Concerns about activity in the area had been raised previously. In November, 32-year-old Gary Messina told the Associated Press that he encountered a mountain lion on the same trail. He said he noticed the animal’s eyes with his headlamp, took a photo, and threw his phone at the lion when it approached. After striking the animal on the head, he managed to scare it away. Messina now believes the lion he encountered may have been the same one involved in the fatal attack weeks later.
“This is an area where mountain lions are really common, along with other wildlife like bears and moose,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said, according to NBC News. “Because mountain lions are common here, we do expect conflicts, including sightings and occasional encounters, especially involving dogs.”
Wildlife officials advise anyone who encounters a mountain lion to make noise, raise objects overhead to appear larger, and slowly back away. Pets should be kept on a leash and prevented from interacting with wildlife.
