‘Fairly outdoor savvy’: 2 Colorado teen girls vanish before basketball team’s away game, still in their uniforms

Two teen girls are safe after disappearing under unusual circumstances in Elbert, Colorado, on the evening of December 15, 2025, leaving the surrounding area on edge.

The two girls, both 13 years old and identified in the press as Eva and Neilliy, traveled to Elbert from their homes in Colorado Springs, about 35 miles away, with their middle school basketball team to play a game. They were last seen around 5 p.m. on December 15 at Elbert Elementary School.

According to an Elbert school district communications officer, “The two girls were at the away basketball game and then disappeared, and authorities were notified immediately.” Once reported missing, a search began with teams, dogs, and drones, according to local news outlet KKTV.

“Going outside for fresh air”

A local law enforcement social media update stated that Eva and Neilliy were last seen wearing their basketball uniforms and hoodies, carrying small backpacks with unknown contents. The local sheriff’s office says their cell phones were left behind. A social media comment said, before their game began, “They told teammates they were going outside for fresh air.”

Another comment said, “They left their belongings in the gym after telling the coach they were going to see their parents outside of the gym. They never met their parents. The girls left together on foot. Cameras from the school show them going into the woods.”

Notably, the post added that the girls are “fairly outdoor savvy,” suggesting authorities suspected the two girls may have run away. Reports say school officials and the girl’s families cooperated with the search.

Reports say teams searched a 5-mile radius around the school and called off the search around 11:13 p.m. that night. The Elbert School District shared updates on the search and offered counseling and other support services for those affected. School officials canceled classes and the next day’s away basketball game in Byers, Colorado.

Found safe, but mysteries remain

But amid plans to resume the search the next morning with additional resources, the local sheriff’s office announced the girls approached a local residence about 8 to 12 miles away from the school between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on the morning of December 16, according to local news outlet KRDO.

Authorities have not disclosed why the girls left the basketball game, their condition, where exactly they were found, or other details about their recovery. It’s also unclear where they spent the night in near-freezing temperatures. Officials have also not said whether the girls became lost or left voluntarily.