An autopsy has confirmed the cause of death for two Colorado Mountain College students who died in a climbing accident on West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County last week. Investigators also released additional details about the incident, including a catastrophic failure of the climbing anchor system.
Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of Queensbury, New York, were recovered from a basin on West Apostle Mountain on October 29, 2026. Both were students at Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus.
According to a joint press release from the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and Chaffee County Coroner’s Office issued November 3, an autopsy was conducted on November 2 in El Paso County at the request of Chaffee County Coroner Jeff Graf. The examination determined that both students died from multiple blunt force injuries and that their deaths were instantaneous.
Investigation Reveals Climbing Anchor Failure
The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the accident. Investigators determined that Donlon was beginning to rappel from a primary anchor point attached to a rock substrate. That anchor appeared to have been backed up by a piton and a secondary anchor made from rock substrate.
Matsuda was attached to the same anchor points through his personal anchor device, as well as the primary anchor point.
The anchor system experienced a catastrophic failure for reasons that investigators could not determine. Both students subsequently fell a substantial distance, although the exact distance remains unknown.
Investigators also examined whether a heavy snowstorm played a role in the accident. While it remains unknown whether the storm negatively affected the circumstances leading to the fall, authorities determined that it was not a direct contributing factor in the students’ deaths.
Sheriff Shares Message to Families and Friends
Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich shared a statement honoring the two students and expressing condolences to their families and friends.
“Kaden and Jackson lived life at the highest peaks chasing freedoms and panoramic views that most of us only see in pictures. We hope their families and friends find strength in the memories of their vibrant spirits.
While their lives were far too short, they spent their final moments together surrounded by the majestic beauty of Chaffee County’s high peaks that they loved. There is also relief knowing neither of them suffered.
Kaden and Jackson will certainly be remembered by my staff as an example to others of what preparation looks like. In most similar cases that have led to a devastating conclusion we find it easy to pick apart what was done wrong. That was not the case with Kaden and Jackson.
There are no right words to family and friends for a loss this heavy. Know that whenever we explore our backcountry in the future we will think of them as young men who didn’t just look at the world; they climbed it. May they rest in peace.”