Officer believes Aspen couple fell near Capitol Peak summit

Authorities believe an Aspen couple that was found dead after going missing during a Capitol Peak hike fell from somewhere near the summit.

The Aspen Times reports Ryan Marcil and Carlin Brightwell were found dead on Tuesday after going missing on Sunday.

Jesse Steindler, a commander with the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, says it's probable that the couple fell somewhere near the peak's summit. They were found at the base of the peak.

Witnesses saw Marcil and Brightwell on Sunday near the Knife Edge, an obstacle very close to the summit.

The couple, who were in their mid- to late-20s, had been dating for about six or seven months and had moved in together.

The deaths are the third and fourth this summer on the 14,130-foot (4,307-meter) peak located west of Aspen.

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Information from: The Aspen Times.

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