After months of unanswered questions, authorities in Arizona have finally made an arrest in the brutal double murder of two teenagers found shot to death near a remote campsite over Memorial Day weekend.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced late Thursday that 31-year-old Thomas Brown has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of 17-year-old Evan Clark and 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud.
Sheriff Jerry Sheridan confirmed the arrest and said more details would be shared during a Friday morning press conference. In a video released by the sheriff’s office, Brown is seen handcuffed and being led into custody by deputies before being locked in a holding cell.
According to court documents obtained by ABC15, investigators linked Brown to the crime scene through DNA evidence. He is currently being held on a $2 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on October 8.
Clark and Kjolsrud were last seen camping near Mount Ord in the Tonto National Forest. Their bodies were discovered on May 27, both fatally shot. Authorities described the case as one of the most disturbing crimes the county has seen in years.
Both victims were students at Arcadia High School in Phoenix. Friends and family said the two shared a love of the outdoors and had gone camping for the holiday weekend.
Pandora’s family described her as a “bright light” with “an infectious smile that brought joy to everyone she met.” Her GoFundMe tribute read, “She loved music, playing violin, cello, and guitar. She felt most at peace surrounded by nature.”
Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, called him her “only child and beloved son,” writing that he was “funny, kind, and wise beyond his years.” She shared that the last letter he gave her on Mother’s Day “made me both laugh and cry.”
The sheriff’s office said they had been working tirelessly for months to track down the suspect and thanked the community for tips that helped move the case forward.
“This arrest marks a major step toward justice for Evan and Pandora,” Sheriff Sheridan said. “We know nothing can erase the pain their families feel, but today we are one step closer to answers.”
Brown has not entered a plea, and investigators have not yet disclosed a possible motive.
The murderer deserves the death penalty! There is no reason to feed and cloth these murderers for life.
He took two innocent lives.