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Coroner determines cause of death for avalanche victim

Jesse Christensen and his son Colter could regularly be found on Thursday nights performing at Aurum Food and Wine.
Courtesy Photo

— The Garfield County Coroner has determined the cause of death for the Steamboat Springs man killed in an avalanche Tuesday.

Jesse Christensen, 55, died from asphyxiation due to being buried in snow.

A final report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center is expected next week. The report should provide more information about what happened before and after the avalanche.



Christensen’s friend, Sean Searle, survived the avalanche and tried to resuscitate Christensen.

The two men were riding snowbikes in the Flat Tops Wilderness.



A fund has been established for the Christensen family.

The fund website is tinyurl.com/hssm7vz.

Money raised from the site will go toward funeral expenses and other costs the Christensen family is incurring.

Christensen leaves behind his wife, Leslie, and six children.

Christensen’s visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Steamboat, 1155 Central Park Drive. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

Interment will be in St. George, Utah, at a later date. Yampa Valley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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