This story was updated at 2:10 p.m. on May 27 to include the response from Megan Trussell’s mother, who disagrees with the official conclusion.
Content warning: This story includes references to suicide and descriptions of self-harm. For support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also contact Colorado Crisis Services by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255 to speak with a trained mental health professional
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into the February death of 18-year-old Megan Trussell, a CU Boulder student whose disappearance and death drew significant public attention.
According to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office, Trussell died from the toxic effects of amphetamine, with hypothermia as a contributing factor. Her death was ruled a suicide. The determination was based on toxicology results and other evidence, including undigested prescription medication found during her examination, Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin said in a May 27 news release.
“Based on the comprehensive investigation and forensic findings from the Coroner’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, as well as a review by the District Attorney’s Office, we have found no evidence to suggest that Megan was physically harmed or killed by another person,” the news release stated.
Trussell was last seen leaving her dorm the night of Feb. 9. Her body was found six days later near the 40-mile marker of Boulder Canyon Drive. A multi-agency investigation involving the Sheriff’s Office, CU Police, FBI and local forensic teams used cell phone data, security footage and witness interviews to retrace her final movements, officials said.
Her phone was later recovered at a resale kiosk, having been sold by a homeless man who said he received it from another homeless person, according to county officials. He was charged with theft and making a false declaration but is not believed to have had contact with Trussell. Her purse was found separately near the area where her body was discovered.
Officials said there is no evidence that another person was involved in her death. Sheriff Curtis Johnson acknowledged the many months the investigation took.
“This outcome is heartbreaking, and our hope is that the findings may bring some closure to Megan’s loved ones and to the broader community,” Johnson said. “Our office typically refrains from releasing detailed information in suicide cases out of respect for the family and to prevent further harm, but we are sharing additional details due to the widespread public concern.”
Trussell’s family, however, has publicly challenged the county’s conclusion and the overall handling of the investigation. They disputed the ruling of suicide, claiming that the autopsy did not show a lethal level of prescription drugs in her system and listed gastric hemorrhaging from exposure as the cause of death. “Our lawyer does not agree that they should rule suicide,” Vanessa Díaz, Trussell’s mother, wrote on Facebook. “They cited some manual saying that previous actions were consistent with her being suicidal, which allows them to make that determination.”
“They gave the example of getting drunk and going into the ocean and drowning, but that sounds more accidental,” she wrote.
“Let me add that Megan has never been suicidal or demonstrated self-injurious behavior. Whatever they are claiming they got from her medical records to prove this is untrue.”
The family also raised concerns about injuries they said were found on Megan’s body — including bruising, chipped teeth and blunt force trauma — and said they plan to pursue a private autopsy.
In addition, they question aspects of the investigation itself, including the timeline for how Megan’s phone and purse were found. According to the family, a friend helped track down her phone through a resale kiosk in mid-March, and they believe law enforcement did not take basic investigative steps early on. “This case was botched from the start,” Díaz said, alleging that the sheriff’s office was dismissive of the possibility of foul play from the beginning.
A GoFundMe campaign launched in February has been used to support search efforts, cover funeral costs, pay attorney fees and pursue independent lab analysis, the page states.