Body of vet killed in ATV accident recovered two days later

The body of a beloved Colorado veterinarian has been recovered from “extremely rugged terrain” in the Pike-San Isabel National Forests.

The nonprofit organization Justice Takes Flight, which supports families of missing people, announced that Shelley Ekstrom disappeared after she and her neighbor left their homes in Conifer, Colorado on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on Tuesday, October 1.

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

A “multi-response response” the same day led to Ekstrom's body being discovered in “extremely rugged terrain” on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 3, the Park County Coroner's Office said.

After “scientific identification,” the medical examiner’s office determined that Ekstrom died Tuesday evening “as a result of an ATV accident.”

“Teams navigated rivers, used ropes and safety equipment, and climbed steep terrain to locate the crash site. This is the second ATV fatality in the last two months,” the Park County Sheriff’s Office said in its own statement.

The sheriff's office urged thrill-seekers to “wear appropriate safety equipment, reduce speed and familiarize yourself with your vehicle and 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 who mourn,” they further added.

Ekstrom was a “beloved” veterinarian at Indian Tree Animal Hospital, expressing in a Facebook statement that she was “appreciated by her team, patients, customers and our entire community.” Her compassion and commitment touched the lives of many, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

According to the Arvada, Colorado, veterinary clinic's website, Ekstrom began her veterinary career working in the Texas horse industry before moving to Colorado, where she “hiked in the mountains during all seasons” and “rode motorcycles in the summer.”

She joined Indian Tree Animal Hospital in 2015 with decades of experience as a veterinarian, a GoFundMe created to raise funds for their funeral homes.

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“She was a trusted source of knowledge and an excellent doctor. Her love of animals was surpassed only by her passion for the Colorado outdoors, where she enjoyed exploring the beautiful landscapes that surrounded her,” the campaign says, noting that Ekstrom “leaves behind a heartbroken family .