In the shadow of Colorado’s majestic Flatirons, a haunting mystery that gripped a community for nearly four months came to a somber close. On a quiet Tuesday morning, a vegetation crew from Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks stumbled upon decomposed human remains near the Flatirons Vista Trailhead, just 150 yards east of the trail’s edge in unincorporated Boulder County near Superior. The discovery, announced by the Boulder County Coroner’s Office on August 28, 2025, confirmed the worst fears of a family searching for answers: the remains belonged to 34-year-old Paul Aragon, a man whose sudden disappearance had left loved ones and authorities puzzled since late April.

Paul Aragon was last heard from by his family on April 28 or 29, 2025. Known for his strength and independence, Aragon had been living out of his pickup truck, navigating life on his own terms while working as a peer coach for Superior Connections, a transitional house in Colorado Springs. Alongside his girlfriend of five months, Mercedes Hess, he dedicated himself to helping others battle addiction, offering hope and support to those in need. “He helped a lot of people with their addictions,” Hess shared in a heartfelt tribute. “He was really there for a lot of people. This has been hard. I can’t imagine how his family feels.”

The mystery began to unfold on May 2, when Broomfield police discovered Aragon’s truck in a construction zone off Edgeview Drive, near the WoodSpring Suites in Broomfield. The scene was eerie: the engine was still running, headlights piercing the early morning darkness at 3:15 a.m., and Aragon’s loyal dog sat alone inside. Officers searched the area on foot and with a drone, but found no trace of Aragon. He was not staying at the nearby hotel, and attempts to reach him by phone went unanswered. The following night, just after midnight on May 3, police returned to find the dog still in the truck. They promptly removed the animal and took it to a local shelter, notifying Aragon’s family of the troubling discovery.

Concern grew when Aragon, described as a reliable individual, failed to show up for work on May 5—a stark departure from his usual character. His mother, desperate for answers, reported him missing to the Broomfield Police Department on May 8. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation escalated the case, issuing an Endangered Missing Alert on May 20, describing Aragon as a 34-year-old white male with black hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing 145 pounds. Despite extensive efforts, the trail went cold, leaving his family and friends in anguished uncertainty.

The discovery of Aragon’s remains near Coal Creek has brought closure to his disappearance but opened new questions. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted in the recovery, has not yet determined whether foul play was involved. The coroner’s office is working to establish the cause and manner of death, a process complicated by the advanced decomposition of the remains. For now, the circumstances surrounding Aragon’s final days remain shrouded in mystery.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns a man remembered for his compassion and resilience. Aragon’s work as a peer coach touched countless lives, offering a lifeline to those struggling with addiction. His sudden absence and tragic end have left a void, with loved ones grappling with grief and the unanswered question of what happened in those final moments. The Flatirons, once a backdrop to Aragon’s life, now stand as a silent witness to a story that may never be fully told.