A female marine has lost her life in a freak accident while skiing on a Colorado mountain.
Jessie Mello, 24, from Grand Junction, suffered a severe head injury and several broken bones in a skiing accident at the Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Mesa County on Christmas Eve, according to the Mesa County Coroner’s Office.
She succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead on the evening of January 5.
‘Jessie lived more in 24 years than most dream to live in a lifetime,’ her obituary read.
‘She traveled the world, was a multisport athlete, a black belt, a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and an incredible daughter, sister and friend to everyone she encountered.’
The decorated sportswoman was back home visiting family in the scenic Colorado town when they decided to go on a short ski trip.
On the clear and sunny morning of December 24 Mello and her two brothers headed out on an intermediate ski run at Powderhorn Resort, home to the world’s largest flattop mountain, the Colorado Sun reported.
Mello, who grew up skiing at the same mountain but had taken a break during high school and her four-years in the marines, spent the morning practicing her skills and warming up on beginning runs.
Jessie Mello, 24, from Grand Junction, Colorado, lost her life in a freak accident while skiing on a Colorado mountain on Christmas Eve
Mello was back home visiting family for the holidays in the scenic Colorado town of Mesa when they decided to go on a short holiday-season ski trip to Powderhorn Mountain Resort
The 24-year-old girl was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps as well as a multi-sport athlete
Mello, who grew up skiing at the same mountain but had taken a break during high school and her four-years in the Marines, spent Christmas Eve morning practicing her skills and warming up on beginning runs
But in the blink of an eye the Christmas Eve trip turned into a nightmare.
Ski patrollers were alerted to a report about a possible injury on an intermediate-level trail, 9 News reported.
Eric Mello, her father, said witnesses saw his daughter hit a patch of ice before crashed into a tree, the Colorado Sun reported.
The patrol team responded and called for an ambulance from Plateau Valley emergency services.
As the medical team cared for Mello, they contacted CareFlight of the Rockies, a nationally accredited helicopter air ambulance with experience in in-air medical treatment.
She was then flown to the ICU in St Mary’s Hospital with a head injury and several broken bones, despite having been wearing a helmet.
‘I don’t know all the words to say. The last week has been the worst moments in our lives as our daughter fights for her life in the ICU,’ Eric Mello wrote to Facebook on December 30.
‘There has been an army of light in these dark times and it is all of you that are praying for her and supporting us. We don’t know the road or how long it is ahead of us but want to truly say thank you to all of you.’
Eric Mello, Jessie’s father, said that witnesses saw his daughter hit a patch of ice before she crashed into a tree
Mello was flown to the ICU in St Mary’s Hospital with a head injury and several broken bones, despite having been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident
‘I don’t know all the words to say. The last week has been the worst moments in our lives as our daughter fights for her life in the ICU,’ Eric Mello, Jessie’s father, wrote on Facebook
The young marine died from her head injuries on January 5 after nearly two weeks in hospital
Just three days later, Mello’s father shared another update to Facebook urging his concerned followers to continue praying for his daughter.
‘This past week plus has been a haze,’ he wrote. ‘Jessie is still in the ICU and still fighting. We don’t have a lot of answers but are taking it day by day.’
Mello died from her head injuries on January 5 after spending nearly two weeks in the hospital.
‘My baby girl went peacefully into Jesus’s arms tonight,’ her father wrote to Facebook. ‘Thank you all for the love and support through all of this. We love you and she is at peace.’
She is survived by her parents, her two brothers and all four of her grandparents.
‘When you talk to anyone who served with Jessie, you will see a twinkle in their eyes because of her,’ Mello’s obituary read.
‘They admire her honesty, integrity, work ethic and intentionality. She was loved and she was feared, exactly the way she wanted it to be.’
The young woman was described to be ‘a phenomenal marine but an even better friend’ who was full of passion and light, overall an amazing soul inside and out.
Dozens of family, friends, coaches and fellow marines took to social media as well as Mello’s obituary to share their memories and cherished photos of their loved one
She is survived by her parents, her two brothers and all four of her grandparents
‘When you talk to anyone who served with Jessie, you will see a twinkle in their eyes because of her,’ Mello’s obituary read. ‘They admire her honesty, integrity, work ethic and intentionality. She was loved and she was feared, exactly the way she wanted it to be’
The young woman was described to be ‘a phenomenal marine but an even better friend’
‘Jessie loved blue skies and the wind whistling through her hair as she faced down the obstacles in her way,’ the obituary said.
Dozens of family, friends, coaches and fellow marines took to social media to share their memories and cherished photos of their loved one.
DeAnne Larsen, one of Mello’s former coaches, shared a heartfelt statement to Facebook describing her as an independent and determined young woman.
‘Jessie Mello is one of those athletes from whom I believed I learned more than I taught her,’ she shared.
On the afternoon of January 5 a walk for Mello was held honoring organ, eye or tissue donors and their families. It was organized after a match was found for her heart and she was able to give the gift of life to another.
Mello’s father said that ‘more than 50 Marines from all over the world’ showed up for her January 10 memorial service and shared stories about his daughter, which he described as being ‘a blessing’, the Colorado Sun reported.
‘This is not the end of her story,’ her obituary added. She continues to live on in those whom she love and impacted.’
‘Jessie’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her, a testament to the impact she made during her time with us.’
Mello’s tragic end was the first reported ski area death of the 2024-25 ski season.
At least 15 people died on Colorado ski slopes during the 2023-34 season, six of them after colliding with trees, the Colorado Sun reported.
At least 17 deaths were recorded at ski resorts within the 2022-23 ski season, more than in previous seasons but still fewer than the record of 22 deaths in the low-snow season of 2011-12.
Mello’s father said that ‘more than 50 Marines from all over the world’ showed up for her January 10 memorial service and shared stories about his daughter
One of Mello’s former coaches shared a heartfelt statement to Facebook which said: ‘Jessie Mello is one of those athletes from whom I believed I learned more than I taught’
On the afternoon of January 5, a walk for Mello (middle) was held honoring organ, eye or tissue donors and their families after a match was found for her heart and she was able to give the gift of life to another
Mello’s tragic end was the first reported ski area death of the 2024-25 ski season
Mello’s devastating ending came just days before a 12-year-old Massachusetts boy also died in a horrific crash while skiing at a New Hampshire resort.
Jack Murray was skiing on an intermediate level trail on Cranmore Mountain in North Conway on New Year’s Eve when the tragedy unfolded.
The youngster, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, struck a tree and was found unconscious in the snow.
Ski Patrol crews began performing CPR and brought him down to the base of the mountain, where he was transported to Maine Health/Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Jack, who was on the ski trip with his parents, brother, cousin and uncle, succumbed to his injuries while in the hospital.
