Follow-Up: New Details Emerge in Megan Trussell Case as Investigation Continues

Boulder, CO – March 15, 2025 –
Nearly a month after the tragic death of University of Colorado Boulder freshman Megan Trussell, new developments have reignited public interest and raised lingering questions about the circumstances surrounding her passing. The 18-year-old’s body was discovered on February 15 in a remote, “hard-to-reach” area of Boulder Canyon, and while authorities have maintained that foul play is not suspected, recent updates about her personal belongings have prompted speculation from her family and the community.Family of Megan Trussell says purse was ripped, shoe and phone still missing
Earlier this week, on March 11, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced that Trussell’s purse—a distinct blue bag with a pink star—had been “recently recovered” as part of their ongoing investigation. Though officials declined to disclose the exact location or condition of the purse at the time, Trussell’s mother, Vanessa Diaz, took to Facebook on March 12 to share troubling details. In her post, Diaz revealed that the purse’s side seam was “ripped out” and that her daughter had been found wearing only one of her 3-inch platform tennis shoes. She also noted that Megan’s phone remains missing, along with the other shoe, despite searches conducted by family and friends near the site where her body was found.Family of Megan Trussell says purse was ripped, shoe and phone still missing
“The damaged purse and the missing shoe lead me to believe there was a struggle, or at the very least another person with her when she died,” Diaz wrote, expressing frustration with the lack of clear answers. Her comments contrast with the sheriff’s office’s repeated stance that there is “no reason to believe” Trussell’s death poses a threat to the community. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office has yet to release an official cause or manner of death, leaving many details unresolved.
Additional information from local media has shed light on the purse’s recovery. An anonymous source told the Boulder Daily Camera that the purse was found on March 5 near U.S. 36, approximately six miles from the Boulder Canyon location where Trussell’s body was discovered. This distance has fueled speculation about how the purse ended up so far from the site, though authorities have not confirmed whether it was moved by natural elements, human intervention, or other means.
Trussell, a film studies major, was last seen alive on February 9 at her residence hall on the CU Boulder campus. She was reported missing by her father, Joe Trussell, on February 12 after she failed to respond to his texts about lunch plans. A statewide Missing Indigenous Person Alert was issued on February 14, and her body was located the following day by Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers. The discovery came after a coordinated search involving local, state, and federal agencies, as well as volunteers from the university community.
The condition of Trussell’s belongings has become a focal point for her loved ones. Diaz noted that she and a group of trusted friends searched the rugged terrain near the 40-mile marker of Boulder Canyon Drive over the weekend prior to her post but found no trace of the missing shoe or phone. “Megan wasn’t much of a hiker,” a family friend previously told Denver7, adding to the mystery of how she ended up in such a remote area.
At a memorial held in Boulder Canyon on February 17, Joe Trussell thanked the community for their support and emphasized the family’s desire for clarity. “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened, but the best way we can honor her is to get better, to find out what happened,” he said. The event drew dozens of mourners, who left flowers, candles, and stuffed animals in tribute to the young student remembered for her love of movies and sharp sense of humor.
As the investigation progresses, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has urged patience, stating that they are still gathering facts and awaiting the coroner’s findings. They have also renewed their call for anyone with information about Trussell’s movements between February 9 and her discovery to come forward.Family of Megan Trussell says purse was ripped, shoe and phone still missing
For now, the torn purse, missing shoe, and absent phone remain haunting clues in a case that has left a grieving family and a shaken campus searching for answers. The community continues to rally around the Trussells, holding out hope that the full story of Megan’s final moments will come to light.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.