New Year’s Day in Colorado turned tragic after a woman on a lone hike became the suspected victim of a deadly mountain lion assault.

The frightening incident unfolded midday on the Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County, where Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say hikers stumbled upon a grisly scene: a mountain lion looming over a motionless woman.

Chaos erupted shortly after noon on January 1, with fellow adventurers reportedly hurling rocks and shouting, eventually driving off the big cat. Despite their quick actions, they found the woman unresponsive, with no signs of life. Emergency responders rushed to the remote trail, but it was too late. “There were indicators that matched a mountain lion attack, but nothing is confirmed yet,” said wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose, who noted the woman embarked on the hike alone.

Authorities wasted no time launching a massive manhunt for the feline predator. Rangers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife joined forces with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Estes Park police, and Glen Haven Area Volunteer Firefighters, while a biologist conducting aerial surveys swooped in to aid the operation. Specially trained dogs were unleashed to sniff out the big cats. Within hours, officers tracked down and euthanized two mountain lions per agency policy—any animal suspected of attacking a person is put down to protect the public, officials said.

“We’re still uncertain if one or more animals were the culprit,” Van Hoose commented. Necropsies are slated for the euthanized lions to check for illness, and crucial forensic tests will hunt for traces of human DNA. If the DNA doesn’t match, the search for the attacker continues. Meanwhile, the Larimer County Coroner will reveal the victim’s identity and official cause of death once the investigation wraps.

Mountain lion attacks on people are exceedingly rare in Colorado—just 28 since 1990, and the last fatality stretches back to 1999, according to state wildlife authorities. However, Crosier Mountain is no stranger to prowling predators. “This region teems with mountain lions, bears, moose, you name it,” Van Hoose remarked, urging hikers to remain vigilant. The mystery and heartbreak cast a shadow over Colorado’s wilderness as officials race to solve the case—and prevent another tragedy.