CU News
News from the University of Colorado in Boulder.
New Details Emerge in Megan Trussell Case as Investigation Continues
Mar 15th
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Mysterious Death of CU Boulder Student Megan Trussell Continues to Raise Questions
Mar 15th
Boulder, Colorado — March 15, 2025
The Boulder County Sheriff’s continues to investigate the perplexing death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder, whose body was discovered one month ago in a remote area of Boulder Canyon. Trussell was reported missing on February2, 2025, an 1d her body was found three days later on February 15 near the 40-mile marker of Boulder Canyon Drive, sparking an ongoing inquiry that has yet to yield definitive answers.
Trussell, a Denver native and recent graduate of Northfield High School, was last seen alive on February 9 at her residence hall on the CU Boulder campus. Her disappearance prompted a swift response from family and authorities after her father, Joseph Trussell, grew concerned when she failed to respond to texts about lunch plans. “When she didn’t respond, I knew something was wrong,” he said during a memorial gathering held near the discovery site on February 17. A search ensued, culminating in the grim discovery of her body in what officials described as “hard-to-reach terrain,” requiring a technical evacuation involving rappelling.
The Boulder County Coroner’s Office confirmed Trussell’s identity on February 18, but the cause and manner of her death remain undetermined pending further testing. While the Sheriff’s Office has repeatedly stated that “foul play is not suspected” and there is no perceived threat to the community, the case has taken a puzzling turn with the recent recovery of Trussell’s purse, found miles away from her body. On March 11, the Sheriff’s Office announced that the purse had been “recently recovered,” though they withheld details about its location or contents, citing the active investigation. Reports from family members, however, have fueled speculation. Trussell’s mother, Vanessa Diaz, posted on social media that her daughter was found wearing only one shoe and that the recovered purse had a ripped side seam. “Someone ripped this purse from her,” Diaz wrote. “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.” A family spokesperson echoed these concerns, noting the purse was discovered a significant distance from the body, adding to their skepticism of the official narrative.
Despite these claims, the Sheriff’s Office, led by Commander Jeff Pelletier, has maintained that the investigation—now officially termed a “case”—does not currently point to criminal activity. In a statement released on March 12, the office emphasized that the Boulder County Coroner’s Office will determine the final cause of death once all studies are complete. Attorney Michael Dougherty further clarified to local media that “this is not a homicide, there is no criminal investigation,” though the family’s doubts persist. At least a case has not been brought to the DAs office. Yet law enforcement including@FBIDenver have been very secretive about any criminal investigation. This has led to wide speculation about foul play by family friends and media.
Trussell’s loved ones have described her as a vibrant, compassionate individual with a sharp wit and a deep connection to those around her. “If you knew Megan, then you know there has never been anyone like her,” her obituary read. Friends and family gathered in the days following her discovery to honor her memory, sharing stories of her love for films, music, and her ability to bring humor to any situation. “She just made people happy,” her father told reporters. The university community has also felt the loss deeply. Dr. D’Andra Mull, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at CU Boulder, called Trussell “a beloved member of our community,” encouraging students to seek counseling services as they process the tragedy. As the investigation continues, authorities are still seeking information about Trussell’s movements on February 9, the last day she was seen alive. Anyone with details is urged to contact BCSOtips@bouldercounty.gov. For now, the circumstances surrounding Megan Trussell’s death remain shrouded in uncertainty, leaving her family, friends, and the Boulder community searching for closure amidst lingering questions.
Boulder Traffic Alert Today October 28th during GOP debates on Campus
Oct 27th
The City of Boulder anticipates several localized traffic delays on Wednesday, Oct. 28 related to the Republican Presidential candidate debate to be held in the Coors Event Center on the University of Colorado-Boulder campus. 
Light traffic impacts will occur throughout the day as candidates, media and attendees arrive on campus. The combination of national media, groups exercising First Amendment rights, candidates and related security details, and the normal rush hour traffic may cause significant delays on Broadway, US 36, and around campus later in the day.
Drivers wishing to avoid potential traffic congestion may wish to use alternate routes or adjust their travel schedules. Rolling road closures and traffic delays are expected on Broadway between Arapahoe Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue between 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.as attendees and advocacy groups arrive and between 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. when the debate adjourns. Regent Drive has been closed for the debate.
Debate ticket holders are expected to be onsite between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The majority of attendees for the debate are expected to be bused to campus from offsite locations, use public transportation or walk to the event.
CU also is providing a Free Speech Zone on campus at the Business Field, just north of the Coors Event Center; this area will be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The city has approved three advocacy permits related to the debate for groups who expect to exercise their First Amendment rights. One group intends to be entirely on campus. Two others plan to gather in Central Park at 3 p.m. and walk to the Free Speech Zone between 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Advocacy groups have indicated that many participants will be bused into the city as there is no event parking associated with the debate.
The debate will be televised on CNBC, and candidates are expected to be in place well in advance of the event. For more information on the debate, go to Colorado.edu/rnc-debate.
