In June 2018, Imagigen Owen, a 33-year-old architect from Denver, embarked on a solo hiking adventure in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

She set out to explore part of the Colorado Trail, planning to return in just five days.

On June 22nd, she was last seen at the Sunrise Fuel Gas Station in Silverton, where she purchased gas, a map, and energy bars.

Her blue Toyota 4Runner was later found parked at the trailhead near Molasses Pass, with a note in the visitor log stating, “Return on Tuesday.”

But after that day, Imagigen seemed to vanish without a trace, leaving her family and authorities desperate for answers.

### A Mysterious Disappearance

As the days turned into weeks, the search for Imagigen intensified.

Local rescuers, volunteers, and even search dogs scoured the area, but no signs of her were found.

Witnesses reported hearing a scream in the vicinity around the time she disappeared, but there were no definitive leads.

The case gradually faded from the headlines, becoming one of the most enigmatic missing person cases in the region.

Imagigen’s sister continued the search, posting flyers and reaching out to the community, but hope dwindled as time passed.

### A Shocking Discovery

Fast forward to September 19, 2022—four years later.

A group of geology students from the University of Colorado stumbled upon a thin plume of smoke while conducting field research in a remote area of Llata County.

Using a drone, they discovered a makeshift hut hidden among the trees.

When authorities arrived, they encountered an emaciated woman with a pale face standing in the doorway.

Imagigen Owen had been found, but the circumstances of her disappearance were far from ordinary.

### The Condition of Imagigen

Imagigen’s physical state was alarming.

She appeared wild-eyed and smiling, but her demeanor was unsettling.

Upon being questioned, she repeated the phrase, “He is building a temple. We are the foundation.”

This cryptic statement raised immediate concerns about her mental health and the possibility of coercive control during her years in isolation.

Doctors later confirmed that she was suffering from severe exhaustion, dehydration, and numerous old scars.

### The Investigation Unfolds

As the investigation into her disappearance reopened, authorities began piecing together the events leading to her rescue.

Imagigen’s drawings and statements hinted at a deeper, more sinister narrative involving a potential cult-like influence.

Detective Marcus Rhodess, assigned to the case, uncovered links to Elijah Stone, a man who had vanished around the same time as Imagigen.

Stone had ties to a religious community known as the Light of the East, founded by his brother, Caleb, who preached a radical ideology about purification through labor and isolation.

### The Cult Connection

Elijah Stone’s connection to Imagigen’s disappearance became a focal point for investigators.

As they searched for clues, they discovered a series of underground shelters and symbols resembling those found in Imagigen’s drawings.

The FBI became involved, suspecting that Elijah had created a hidden community in the mountains, using followers as labor for his grand architectural project.

### The Arrest of Elijah Stone

In December 2022, federal agents located a settlement in the mountains, complete with wooden structures and symbols indicating a ritualistic purpose.

Elijah Stone was arrested without resistance, eerily calm as he proclaimed, “The foundation is laid. The temple will be built even without me.”

Inside the camp, agents found two other emaciated individuals who claimed to be disciples, refusing to leave, convinced that their purification was not yet complete.

### The Trial and Aftermath

Elijah Stone’s trial began in March 2023, drawing widespread attention and public outcry.

Witnesses described his demeanor as a bizarre mix of calm and arrogance, and he was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Meanwhile, Imagigen Owen continued her recovery at a psychiatric clinic, grappling with the trauma of her ordeal.

Doctors noted her gradual improvement, but her emotional state remained fragile, marked by a profound fear of the mountains she once loved.

### A New Beginning

Imagigen’s sister, Hannah, founded a charity to help victims of abduction and teach safety in the wilderness.

She emphasized the importance of recognizing danger not just in nature but also in people who masquerade as prophets.

In Silverton, a memorial was erected for the lost souls linked to the temple, serving as a somber reminder of the darkness that can lurk in seemingly tranquil places.

Imagigen’s journey from a missing person to a survivor illustrates the resilience of the human spirit amid unimaginable circumstances.

As she begins to reclaim her life, her story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential perils of isolation and the hidden dangers that can exist in the wild.