A 6-year-old boy was found unresponsive inside a vehicle in Canyonlands National Park on the morning of Jan. 8 and was later pronounced dead, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

Park rangers were notified at approximately 8:15 a.m. of a suspicious vehicle parked along the Shafer Trail in the Island in the Sky District, the sheriff’s office said. Upon arrival, rangers located the child inside the vehicle and immediately initiated life-saving measures.

The child was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Another person, later identified as the mother, was found dead outside the vehicle in the same area, authorities said. The identities of both deceased have been confirmed and next of kin notified.

The vehicle was first reported by a Park Service employee because it appeared it had been parked overnight in a no camping area.

Both the mother and son were first reported missing on Jan. 7 by the husband and father who resides in Colorado, according to the sheriff’s office.

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reported there is no threat to the public. Based on evidence so far, the case is being investigated as a homicide and suicide.

This story was first published by The Times-Independent.