Elderly couple found dead on Colorado hiking trail had made a 'suicide pact', with husband shooting wife before turning gun on himself

 An elderly couple found dead suffering gunshot wounds near a hiking trail in Colorado over the weekend died in a 'suicide pact', it has been revealed. 

Leroy 'Lee' Vigil, 73, shot his wife Stella Vigil, 72, before turning the gun on himself on Friday after they went on a hike in Colorado Springs, according to the autopsy revealed Tuesday.

Investigators said they found proof that the couple, from New Mexico, had an 'agreement' to take their own lives. 

'Through the course of the investigation, detectives obtained evidence that supported an agreement between Mr. and Mrs. Vigil to end their lives together,' the Colorado Springs Police Department shared a press release.  

Couple Leroy 'Lee' Vigil, 73, and Stella Vigil, 72, died in a suicide pact over the weekend in Colorado. Authorities revealed Tuesday the El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled Stella Vigil's death as a homicide and Lee Vigil's death was ruled a suicide

Couple Leroy 'Lee' Vigil, 73, and Stella Vigil, 72, died in a suicide pact over the weekend in Colorado. Authorities revealed Tuesday the El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled Stella Vigil's death as a homicide and Lee Vigil's death was ruled a suicide

The El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled Stella Vigil's death as a homicide and Lee Vigil's death was ruled a suicide.

The couple was reported missing around 8.30pm on Friday after they didn’t return from a hike near Edmundson trailhead on Woodmen Road.

When relatives of the Vigils and El Paso County Search and Rescue officers arrived to the trail, they found the couple’s car.


Around 12.30am officials found the couple’s bodies off the Santa Fe trail near Fountain Creek, about a three-hour walk away from where the couple first started the hike, suffering apparent gunshots wounds.  

Detectives said Monday no arrests were expected in the case.

Police have not shared further details on the circumstances that led up to their deaths. 

Around 12.30am Saturday officials found the couple’s bodies off the Santa Fe trail near Fountain Creek. A view of Fountain Creek above

Around 12.30am Saturday officials found the couple’s bodies off the Santa Fe trail near Fountain Creek. A view of Fountain Creek above

Locals were shocked to learn of the Vigils' deaths in the hiking area frequented by couples and families, and at first there was speculation they could have been attacked.

'I don't want my wife to come here alone. She always has to come with me from now on, if we come back,' Morty Zand who was hiking near the trail on Saturday said to KRDO.

'Up until today I usually feel pretty good. You have to be a little careful, sometimes there are some sketchy people,' Michael Hollenbeck who recognized the couple said to the outlet. 

'It's sad, it's upsetting, I think I've seen them on the trail before,' he added.   

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