Cause of Death Revealed in Kaylee Russell Accident

Kaylee Russell, a Northern Colorado woman who went missing on Sunday, November 30, 2025, was last seen at the Johnstown/Loveland Park-N-Ride near Highway 402 and Interstate 25 was found deceased days later at the site of a car crash in Timnath.

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Residents throughout the region started a coordinated search party on December 4, 2025, to locate Kaylee Russell and the vehicle she was driving, a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Vehicle Discovered Submerged in Canal

Investigators from the Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Bureau of Investigation located a vehicle partially submerged in a canal on Larimer County Road 1, south of Larimer County Road 44. The body of Kaylee Russell was found inside. The Colorado State Patrol has released the cause of death of 20-year-old Kaylee Russell of Ault, Colorado, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

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According to the press release, the investigation shows that Kaylee Russell was traveling northbound on Larimer County Road 1 approaching a left curve. The investigation shows that Russell was driving at approximately 60 miles per hour into the curve, where the advised speed was 25 miles per hour. This resulted in the Volkswagen Tiguan going up the steep embankment, hitting a utility marker, continuing up the embankment, and then rolling into the canal, coming to rest on the roof, partially submerged in water.

Texting and Impairment Cited as Factors

The investigation also shows that a mobile device was actively being used to send a text message while driving during the time of the crash. A toxicology report was performed on Kaylee Russell, showing that marijuana use was confirmed and impairment was also a contributing factor in the death of the 20-year-old.