OHIO CITY, COLORADO: Mummified family's dream of living ''off grid'' in the wilderness turned into a heartbreaking tragedy as the mummified remains of Christine Vance, 41, Rebecca 'Becky' Vance, 42, and Rebecca's 14-year-old son were discovered in the Gunnison National Forest in Colorado on July 25.
Last summer, driven by an irrepressible urge to escape society, Rebecca convinced her sister Christine to leave their lives in Colorado Springs and venture into the rugged wilderness with her and her son. Despite having little to no survival skills, Becky's determination couldn't be swayed. She yearned for a fresh start away from civilization, seeking solace in the untouched beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Who was Rebecca Vance?
Rebecca's step-sister, Trevala Jara, revealed that she and her husband had implored the sisters to reconsider their plan. However, she remained resolute, refusing to disclose their destination. “She was standoffish and an introvert, someone who liked to keep to herself,” said Trevala “But when she opened up, you had her heart. She’d do anything for anybody she loved. She loved life,” reported New York Post.
In early August 2022, the trio set out on their perilous journey into the unknown, armed only with knowledge gleaned from YouTube videos on survival. "At first Christine didn’t want to go, but she changed her mind. She felt like they had a better chance at living if she went with them," Trevala said. "And she didn’t want our sister and nephew to be alone." Tragically, officials believe that the family perished during the winter, likely succumbing to starvation, freezing temperatures, or carbon monoxide poisoning while trying to stay warm with makeshift fires inside their tent.
'He didn’t know what living off the grid entails!'
Rebecca, a single mom, was described as an anxious loner, yearning for solitude away from the world's chaos, even though she wasn't particularly outdoorsy or a seasoned hiker. On the other hand, Christine was more comfortable in the elements and possessed an outgoing nature. Nevertheless, Becky's strong will and leadership prevailed, and Christine joined her sister on the ill-fated journey to the wilderness. "She didn’t trust anyone, including the government," the stepmom added.
Rebecca's son, who had been homeschooled, embarked on the adventure with mixed emotions. "He was only 13 when they left. He didn’t know what living off the grid entails at all, but he wanted to be with his mom." As authorities investigated the tragic scene, they found a tent with two bodies inside and another lying outside, showing signs of malnourishment and decomposition.
The family had minimal supplies, and their "lean-to" type shelter appeared unfinished, suggesting they were ill-prepared for the harsh winter ahead. The grief-stricken stepsister expressed her hope that their family's heart-wrenching story would serve as a cautionary tale for others contemplating a similar lifestyle. "I know this world is scary," Trevala said. "But don't let that fear, that doubt, all of that take over." While investigations are ongoing, toxicology reports are yet to be released.
