Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of the victim’s name. We apologize for the error.
DENVER (KDVR) — A woman who was killed in a mountain lion attack in Larimer County has been identified, and authorities have called off the search for a third lion potentially involved.
The Larimer County Coroner’s Office identified the woman to FOX31 as Kristen Marie Kovatch, 46, of Fort Collins. The autopsy performed on Monday found that her injuries were “consistent with a mountain lion attack.”
The cause of death was ruled as “asphyxia due to external neck compression,” and the manner was an accident.
The incident happened on Jan. 1 at Crosier Mountain Trail.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said during a press conference in Glen Haven Thursday evening that a group of hikers on the trail noticed a mountain lion near a person lying down from about 100 yards away just after noon. The hikers scared the lion away by throwing rocks. One witness, a physician, did not find a pulse on the woman.
The trails were closed in the area until they reopened on Monday morning. In addition to permanent signage about what to do in the presence of wildlife including mountain lions, CPW said it has placed additional warning signs in the area.
After the attack, first responders located two mountain lions not far from the scene, both of which were euthanized and set to be examined. Due to multiple lions present near the attack area and evidence at the scene, authorities suspected a family group was responsible and were searching for a third mountain lion possibly involved in the attack. That search was called off on Monday after CPW said its crews searched for 72 hours and were not able to detect fresh tracks or scents.
Initial results from the necropsy on the two lions found that they were both about 12-month- old subadult lions, one female and one male. Both were in very good condition with no organ abnormalities.
Human DNA was found on all four paws of the male, and none was found on the female. Both tested negative for rabies, CPW said, and the final report is yet to be complete.
The coroner’s office said it will not release further information.
The family of Kovatch released the following statement to FOX31:
We are devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of our beloved Kristen. Our family is struggling to comprehend this heartbreaking moment. She died doing something she loved deeply—hiking and taking in the beauty of Colorado and its public lands. Kristen was also an ultramarathon runner and someone who found joy and purpose in caring for animals. Her energy, compassion, and independence touched everyone who knew her, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.
The Kovatch Family
As we begin to navigate this profound grief, we kindly ask for privacy and space to support one another and honor her memory. We understand there may be significant public interest, but we hope that our need for quiet reflection and healing will be respected.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family,” said Mark Leslie, Regional Manager for CPW’s Northeast Region. “This is a terrible tragedy. This hiker did what many people did on New Year’s Day. She went out in nature on the first day of a new year, and the fact that she did not return to her family and friends is nothing short of heartbreaking. We encourage the public to have compassion and empathy for her and her loved ones.”
Mountain lion sightings are relatively common throughout Larimer County and across the Front Range, however attacks on humans are rare. Mountain lions have been blamed for several animal deaths around Boulder, Erie and Fort Collins over the last six months, however the last fatal lion attack on a human in the state was in 1999. There have been 28 reported attacks on humans since 1990, according to CPW.
CPW listed several incidents within the last three months in which mountain lions were spotted on trails near the area and around Glen Haven. Some cases involved pet deaths, and others involved witnesses successfully hazing the lions away.
Van Hoose said that hikers and others doing outdoor activities should always be aware of the chance of encountering wildlife in Colorado. In the case of an encounter with a mountain lion, CPW said hazing the animal by throwing things, making noise and making yourself look large can scare the animal away.
More safety information is available on the CPW website. CPW also said any mountain lion sightings or conflicts should immediately be reported to CPW via:
- Denver office at 303-291-7227
- Fort Collins office at 970-472-4300
- Colorado State Patrol at *CSP (*277) to reach an on-call officer
There are an estimated 3,800-4,400 mountain lions in Colorado, with populations growing since they were classified as a big game species in 1965. They live mostly in brushy areas and woodlands in the foothills, canyons and mesa country, according to CPW.