The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Cause of vehicular incident unknown
[ By Katherine Nettles ]
A young man who went missing last week appears to have died in a car-related incident in the Black Canyon National Park. The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office issued a formal statement on Monday, October 27 confirming it had presumably located the body of Walter Kent Jackson, an 18-year-old student from Western Colorado University who had been missing since October 19.
Jackson, along with his 2018 Black Chevrolet Tahoe, was located in a remote area east of Montrose within the Black Canyon National Park on Friday afternoon, October 23. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, the Gunnison Police Department and the Montrose County Coroner’s Office of Medical Investigation.
Cell phone location technology helped lead authorities to an area east of Montrose on Thursday afternoon. That effort led authorities to the vehicle location, and after the weekend they were still awaiting calmer wind and weather conditions to begin difficult recovery operations.
“The man’s location is very difficult to get to,” said Montrose County Sheriff Gene Lillard. Approximately 30 to 35 officials were involved in the effort, he said.
“All agencies that were conducting the search would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to the family and the communities affected by the loss of Mr. Jackson,” said Lillard.
Western Colorado University issued a statement to its student body regarding the news on Monday evening as well.
“With heavy hearts, we want to inform you that authorities have discovered the body of a young man who is believed to be one of our students—Kent Jackson, who has been missing since Monday, October 19.”
The statement described Jackson as a freshman from North Carolina. “Kent came to Western to study business. Kent was a Borick Scholar, participated in our Wilderness Based Orientation Program, loved the outdoors and the adventure of being in the mountains and was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan.
“One faculty member described him as a delightful person, who was extremely bright, really inquisitive and went far above what was required academically.
“Please join us in offering condolences to Kent’s family and friends. This is disheartening for our Western community, especially during an already stressful time. When one of us hurts, we all do.”
Grief support meetings were held for students and staff this week, and the campus encourages anyone who needs assistance in coping with this news to reach out to the 24/7 Crisis Services at (970) 642-6220, text TALK to 38255 or to call the Western Counseling Center at (970) 252-3200 to schedule an appointment.
“We encourage you to be willing to recognize how this may have impacted you and please utilize these services as needed,” reads the WCU statement.
A friend of Jackson’s family forwarded a message from his parents, Steele and Katy Jackson, on Facebook. “Just wanted you guys to hear it from us that Kent has passed away… He was going camping at [the] Black Canyon to take a break after mid-term exams. He went there at night and drove over a 2,000-foot cliff… he passed away quickly with no pain. Thank you for all the prayers and concern shown by everyone. The love and support we have received in this community has been amazing. Thank you all from the bottom of our heart. We will be setting up a donation fund for the search and rescue in lieu of flowers for the great people that have risked their lives to help in this recovery. Hug your children hard today life is fleeting,” the Jacksons wrote.
