# Authorities Identify Cause of 2 Students' Deaths

> Two Colorado college students died after rappelling equipment anchor failed on West Apostle Mountain.
- Title: Authorities Identify Cause of 2 Students' Deaths · Fox News
- Summary: Two Colorado college students died after rappelling equipment anchor failed on West Apostle Mountain.
- Keywords: colorado mountain college, west apostle mountain, rappelling accident, chaffee county sheriff, kaden matsuda, jackson donlon, Fox News
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/travel/authorities-pinpoint-likely-cause-2-students-deaths-plunge-off-mountainside
- Author: Andrea Margolis
- Published: 2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: colorado mountain college, west apostle mountain, rappelling accident, chaffee county sheriff, kaden matsuda, jackson donlon, news, politics
## Students found dead
Two Colorado college students died after rappelling equipment anchor failed on West Apostle Mountain.
## Likely cause identified
Authorities say a rock securing their rappelling equipment likely gave way during descents.
## Students' background
Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, were students at Colorado Mountain College.
## Location details
They were found dead in a snow-filled basin on West Apostle Mountain, 100 miles southeast of Aspen.
## Climbing activity
The students were rappelling down the mountain when the accident occurred.
## Autopsy findings
Both students died instantly from multiple blunt force injuries.
## Key takeaway

Two Colorado Mountain College students died instantly from blunt force injuries after a rock anchor failed during rappelling on West Apostle Mountain.