Records reveal what murder suspect told MCSO during probe into Mount Ord deaths

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Thomas Brown, the suspect accused of killing two Arcadia High School students in May, was arrested after investigators reportedly found his DNA on evidence from the crime scene, records show. 

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that Brown had been identified as a suspect in the deaths of Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, and Evan Clark, 17, on May 27 near Mount Ord.

Court documents released Friday reveal MCSO built a case around Brown, 31, after examining a pair of gloves recovered near a vehicle belonging to one of the victims.

The two victims were apparently found deceased about a mile and a half from their vehicle. In the area where the bodies were discovered, investigators reportedly found spent shell casings and camping items.

While inspecting the area where the victim’s car was found, investigators reported finding a pair of gloves with blood on them, court records show. Bloody items were recovered from inside the car and DNA swabs were collected off of the vehicle.

During the investigation, Brown allegedly contacted MCSO and said he had been camping in the area on May 25 and had drone footage he wished to share with investigators.

MCSO received another tip from a group of five campers who were at Mount Ord that same weekend and reported encountering a “strange” individual driving a vehicle registered to Brown, records show.

When interviewed by MCSO, Brown allegedly told investigators he drove to the top of the mountain on the morning of May 25 and encountered a young male and female. Brown claimed to have then driven back down the mountain and then hiked back up the mountain to the campsite.

Upon his return, Brown told investigators he observed camping items scattered on the ground and rummaged through them, records show. He claimed not to have seen the male and female he had encountered before.

Brown told investigators he then hiked down the mountain to retrieve his vehicle and drove back to the campsite where he planned to stay the night. When he returned, he reported encountering the group of five campers.

In late September, a detective returned to Mount Ord and attempted to retrace the route Brown allegedly took when he hiked up and down the mountain. During this process, the detective allegedly found items in the area matching items associated with the victims, records show.

Test results reportedly showed that Brown’s DNA was allegedly found in the victim’s car and inside the gloves collected from the scene. Blood belonging to one of the victims was detected on the exterior of both gloves, records show.

MCSO officials said they believe Brown allegedly acted alone. The suspect is facing two counts of murder.

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