The Fremont County Coroner has released the identities of the bodies that were recovered July 16 in the Phantom Canyon area. This is the second time this year that two bodies stemming from a double-homicide were found in Phantom Canyon.
Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said Shawn Apple, 31, and his wife, Morgan Apple, 29, both were from Harrisburg, Arkansas.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Land Management are jointly investigating the case.
After the incident, Sheriff Allen Cooper said there was no danger to the public at that time. He asked anyone who was traveling or camping in Phantom Canyon between July 15 through July 17 to call Detective Sandefur at 719-276-5552 or Detective Gall at 719-276-5546.
Fremont County residents Ryan Joe Roth, 25, and Rodolfo Santillan-Reyes, 36, were found dead Feb. 8 in the area of mile marker 10.5 on County Road 67 (Phantom Canyon).
“Their injuries were consistent with foul play,” a press release stated at the time.
Fremont County detectives — in conjunction with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation — are actively pursuing leads in reference to the incident.
Toni Marie Gurule, 41, and Suzzette Marie Salyer, 40, were questioned by authorities to execute a court order to obtain their DNA and for questioning regarding the double homicide.
No charges have been filed in that case.
In April, the remains of the Cañon City man who went missing Feb. 22 in the Phantom Canyon area positively were identified by the Fremont County Coroner.
Bobby Stringer, 50, was last seen when he and a friend had gone out for a hike on Feb. 22.
On April 19, BLM Rangers were conducting raptor counts in the Phantom Canyon area when they discovered human remains. The following morning, Fremont County Search and Rescue, Fremont County deputies, the Fremont County Coroner’s Office and a Helitack Helicopter Crew conducted recovery operations in the area of mile marker 10 on County Road 67.
“He was probably close to two miles from the road,” Keller said. “He was out aways.”
An autopsy identified the remains of Stringer. The cause of death was investigated as accidental.
“He went missing just prior to a severe winter storm,” Keller said. “Everything is consistent with most likely the winter conditions that caused this and not being prepared – so hypothermia.”
