Gravestone found on hiking trail

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says they’re investigating a mystery one man found in the dirt – a gravestone found on 21st Street in the Colorado Springs’ west side.

The man was walking along the trail Thursday morning when he noticed the stone which had the name Norman Allen Nester on it.

According to the stone, Nester was 25 years old when he died, but the Sheriff’s Office said they cannot find his immediate family.

The Calhan Memorial Cemetery says they do have a grave registered for Nester, and that it isn’t missing.

Their working theory right now is that the stone may have been a duplicate for a memorial, that washed away during flooding in the area back in May.

“We don’t know if it was a duplicate copy that was accidentally dropped there, left there or if it was stolen, we have no idea,” said Jennifer Schafer with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

The man who found it said it was surprising, while things have washed up before, he never noticed a stone.

“You never know what you’re going to find down here. Rocks and gems that could wash up,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Office said it doesn’t fall within their jurisdiction, but they are still investigating.