Two elk hunters found dead after going missing in the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir were struck by lightning, the Conejos County Coroner told Gazette news partner KOAA Monday.

Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, N.C., and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City failed to check in with loved ones at a predetermined time on Saturday, according to a previous news release by the Conejo County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded on Sept. 13 to the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead to attempt contact with the two hunters. The office announced Thursday that the bodies were found at around 11 a.m., 2 miles from the trailhead, KOAA reported.

Porter’s fiancée, Bridget Murphy, posted on social media Monday that the situation was “out of everyone’s hands” and was glad they could be at peace.

“It is OFFICIAL, that a lightning strike to the ground took them in an instant. They didn’t do anything wrong, they didn’t feel fear or pain,” Murphy wrote. “He was just trying to get back to the car as storms rolled in on Friday – September 12.”

They were the first two lightning fatalities in Colorado this year, and the 15th and 16th in the U.S., according to National Weather Service data. About 500,000 lightning strikes hit the ground in the Centennial State each year, causing two fatalities and 12 injuries on average.

For lightning safety, there is no safe place outside during thunderstorms and one agency slogan advises: “When thunder roars, go indoors.”

When a safe location is not nearby, the NWS recommends:

• Avoiding open fields
• Staying away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects
• If in a forest, stay near lower trees
• Groups should spread out to avoid the current traveling between people
• If camping in an open area, set up in a valley, ravine or other low area
• Stay away from water, wet items and metal objects

Additional lightning safety guidance can be found on the agency’s website.