2 dead at Rocky Mountain National Park were mother, toddler son

Both Tristen Watson and her 17-month-old child died of gunshot wounds to the head in a suicide and homicide, the coroner's office said.

Image: Entrance sign for Rocky Mountain National Park

A Colorado coroner's office on Monday identified two people found dead at Rocky Mountain National Park last week as a woman and her 17-month-old child, both of whom died from gunshot wounds to the head.John Greim / LightRocket via Getty Images

Jan. 28, 2020, 4:41 AM UTC

By Phil Helsel

A Colorado coroner’s office on Monday identified two people found dead at Rocky Mountain National Park as a woman and her 17-month-old child, both of whom died from gunshot wounds to the head.

Tristen Watson, 24, of Colorado Springs, and her son, Christopher Watson, were found dead Friday. The manner of death for Watson was suicide and for the child homicide, the Larimer County Coroner said in a statement.

Rocky Mountain National Park, northwest of Denver, said it received a report Friday that a person who was suicidal might be in the park.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

Phil Helsel

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.