Body of Veterinarian Killed in ATV Crash Recovered 2 Days Later in ‘Extremely Rough Terrain’

The body of a beloved veterinarian in Colorado was recovered from "extremely rough terrain" in the Pike-San Isabel National Forests.

The nonprofit organization Justice Takes Flight, which helps provide support to families of missing individuals, announced that Shelley Ekstrom went missing after she and her neighbor departed their Conifer, Colo., homes on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

According to the group, the neighbor was located and given medical attention on Wednesday, Oct. 2, but Ekstrom was nowhere to be found.

A "multi-agency response" that same day led to the discovery of Ekstrom's body in "extremely rough terrain" on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 3, the Park County Coroner's Office said.

After being "scientifically identified," the coroner's office determined that Ekstrom died on Tuesday night "as the result of an ATV crash."

"Teams navigated rivers, utilized ropes and safety equipment, and climbed steep terrain in an effort to locate the crash site. This marks the second ATV fatality in the past two months," the Park County Sheriff's Office said in its own statement.

The sheriff's office urged adventure goers to "wear appropriate safety gear, reduce speed, and ensure familiarity with both your vehicle and the trails before riding" as Ekstrom's death "marks the second ATV fatality in the past two months."

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy. The loss of life is never easy, and our thoughts are with those grieving," they further added.

Ekstrom was a "beloved" veterinarian with the Indian Tree Animal Hospital, who expressed in a Facebook statement that she was "cherished by her team, patients, clients, and our entire community. Her compassion and dedication touched the lives of many, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her."

According to the Arvada, Colo., animal hospital's website, Ekstrom began her veterinary career by working in the Texas equine industry before moving to Colorado, where she enjoyed "hiking in the mountains in all seasons" and "riding motorcycles in the summer."

She joined Indian Tree Animal Hospital in 2015 and had decades of experience as a veterinarian, a GoFundMe created to raise funds for her funeral states.

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"She was a trusted source of knowledge and an excellent clinician. Her love for animals was matched only by her passion for the Colorado outdoors, where she found joy in exploring the beautiful landscapes that surrounded her," the campaign states, noting that Ekstrom "leaves behind family that are heartbroken."