Mothers of 2 high schoolers killed while camping speak out after suspect arrested

PHOENIX (KTVK/KPHO/Gray News) - The mothers of two Arizona high schoolers who were killed while on a camping trip in May are speaking out after the arrest of a suspect, saying the darkness of their murders will not overshadow the light and joy they brought to the world.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that 31-year-old Thomas Brown was arrested in connection to the deaths of 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and 17-year-old Evan Clark. The two Arcadia High School students were found dead May 27 while camping in the Mount Ord area of the Tonto National Forest.

The past four months have been a nightmare for the victims’ mothers, who spoke with Arizona’s Family just hours after learning the suspected killer is behind bars. While Simone Kjolsrud, Pandora’s mom, was focused on justice, Evan Clark’s mom, Sandra Sweeney, says she feels at peace knowing the suspect can’t harm again.

“My daughter, Pandora, was a beautiful, brilliant light in this world. She was so full of life and joy and love,” Simone Kjolsrud said. “I will forever be grateful for their tireless efforts to bring justice for my daughter. She deserves justice.”

Pandora Kjolsrud and Clark left for a day-long camping trip May 25. Court documents say one of the high schoolers’ parents contacted authorities after they did not return from the trip the next day as scheduled.

While investigating, Gila County Sheriff’s deputies found the victims’ bodies near a campsite roughly a mile and a half from their vehicle. Detectives say they were shot several times then dragged into the brush and hidden.

Simone Kjolsrud says she’s prayed every day since that the killer would be found.

“I have full faith in our judicial system to evaluate the evidence in this double homicide and find the perpetrator guilty of the violent murders he committed against two innocent teenagers,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sweeney is finding peace in the news of Brown’s arrest.

“I am so happy that no one has to worry anymore. This, as everyone knows, has not just wreaked havoc in my life but for everybody,” she said. “Now, everyone can rest easy and know that he’s not going to harm anyone else.”

Following the high schoolers’ murders, tips poured in from the community, including from Brown. Brown reportedly told deputies he was camping on Mt. Ord on May 25 and flew his personal drone in the area.

Court paperwork revealed he told authorities he came across two young people near a campsite who were driving a silver SUV. Detectives said the description Brown provided of the victims and their vehicle was a match. He claimed he never had “physical interaction” with the high schoolers and denied going through their SUV, according to investigators.

On Aug. 4, Brown’s DNA matched a swab collected from the victims’ bodies and their vehicle. The DNA also came back as a positive match for a pair of gloves with blood on them found near the vehicle, according to deputies.

“Despite stating he was never inside [the victims’] vehicle, Thomas Brown’s DNA evidence was recovered from inside the vehicle, directly contradicting that claim,” court paperwork read.

Authorities also said based on the evidence collected, Brown “provided false or misleading information regarding his involvement.”

Brown now faces two first-degree murder charges and is being held on a $2 million cash-only bond.

Though an arrest has been made and there’s some form of closure, the pain of Pandora Kjolsrud and Clark’s murders is still intolerable for their grieving mothers.

“All of life’s beauty feels less bright without her here,” Simone Kjolsrud said.

“He was the light of my life. He was my world,” Sweeney said.

Both parents say the darkness of the high schoolers’ murders will not overshadow the light and joy they brought to the world.

Sweeney also shared empathy for the suspect’s family, saying: “There are people who love this man, and I am sure he suffers from some issues.”

An Army spokesperson confirmed Brown served in the Arizona Army National Guard from October 2013 to December 2022. He deployed to Djibouti from July 2020 to April 2021.