A female Marine has died in a freak accident while skiing on a mountain in Colorado.
Jessie Mello, 24, of Grand Junction, suffered serious head injuries and several broken bones in a skiing accident at 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 has lived more in 24 years than most people dream in a lifetime’ her obituary read.
“She traveled the world, was a multi-sport athlete, a black belt, a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and an amazing daughter, sister and friend to everyone she encountered.”
The decorated sportswoman was home visiting family in the quaint town of Colorado when they decided to take a quick ski trip.
On the bright and sunny morning of December 24, Mello and her two brothers took off on an intermediate ski run at the Powderhorn Resort, home to the world’s largest flat mountain, the Colorado Sun reported.
Mello, who had grown up skiing on 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 for beginning runs.
Jessie Mello, 24, of Grand Junction, Colorado, lost her life in a freak accident while skiing a mountain in Colorado on Christmas Eve

Mello was back home visiting family for the holidays in the quaint town of Mesa, Colorado, when they decided to take a quick ski trip to Powderhorn Mountain Resort over the holidays.

The 24-year-old girl was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and a multi-sport athlete

Mello, who grew up skiing the same mountain but took a break during high school and her four years in the Marines, spent Christmas Eve morning practicing her skills and warming up for her first runs.
But in an instant, the Christmas Eve trip turned into a nightmare.
Ski patrols were alerted to a report of a possible injury on an intermediate slope. 9 News reported.
Eric Mello, her father, said witnesses saw his daughter hit a patch of ice before crashing into a tree, the Colorado Sun reported.
The patrol team responded and called for an ambulance from Plateau Valley Emergency Services.
While the medical team cared for Mello, they contacted CareFlight of the Rockies, a nationally recognized helicopter air ambulance with experience in airborne medical treatment.
She was then flown to the intensive care unit at St Mary’s Hospital with head injuries and several broken bones, despite wearing a helmet.
‘I don’t know all the words to say. This past week was the worst moments of our lives as our daughter fought for her life in intensive care,” Eric Mello wrote on Facebook on December 30.
“There has been an army of light in these dark times and you are all praying for her and supporting us. We don’t know the road and don’t know how long it still lies ahead of us, but we would like to sincerely thank you all.’

Eric Mello, Jessie’s father, said witnesses saw his daughter land on a patch of ice before crashing into a tree

Mello was flown to the intensive care unit at St Mary’s Hospital with head injuries and several broken bones, despite being wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

‘I don’t know all the words to say. This past week was the worst moment of our lives as our daughter fought for her life in intensive care,” Eric Mello, Jessie’s father, wrote on Facebook.

The young Marine died Jan. 5 from her head injuries after nearly two weeks in the hospital
Just three days later, Mello’s father shared another update on Facebook, urging his concerned followers to continue praying for his daughter.
“The past week has been a blur,” he wrote. “Jessie is still in intensive care and still fighting. We don’t have many answers, but we are taking it day by day.’
Mello died on January 5 from her head injuries after spending almost two weeks in the hospital.
“My little girl fell peacefully into the arms of Jesus tonight,” her father wrote on 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.
“If you talk to anyone who served with Jessie, you will see a twinkle in their eye because of her,” Mello’s obituary read.
“They admire her honesty, integrity, work ethic and sense of purpose. She was loved and feared, just the way she wanted to be.”
The young woman was described as “a phenomenal Marine but an even better friend,” full of passion and light, and overall an amazing soul inside and out.

Dozens of family, friends, coaches and fellow Marines took to social media and Mello’s obituary to share their memories and precious photos of their loved one

She is survived by her parents, her two brothers and all four of her grandparents

“If you talk to anyone who served with Jessie, you will see a twinkle in their eye because of her,” Mello’s obituary read. “They admire her honesty, integrity, work ethic and sense of purpose. She was loved and feared, just the way she wanted to be.”

The young woman was described as ‘a phenomenal Marine, but an even better friend’
“Jessie loved the blue sky and the wind whistling in her hair as she encountered the obstacles in her way,” the obituary said.
Dozens of family, friends, coaches and fellow Marines shared their memories and precious photos of their loved one on social media.
DeAnne Larsen, one of Mello’s former coaches, shared a heartfelt statement on 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 said.
On the afternoon of January 5, a walk for Mello was held to honor 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 someone else.
Mello’s father said “more than 50 Marines from around the world” showed up for her memorial service on Jan. 10 and shared stories about his daughter, who he described as “a blessing,” the Colorado Sun reported.
“This is not the end of her story,” her obituary added. She lives on in those she loved and made an impact.”
“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 death at a ski area in the 2024-2025 ski season.
At least 15 people died on Colorado ski slopes during the 2023-2034 season, six of them after colliding with trees, the Colorado Sun reported.
At least 17 deaths were recorded at ski resorts in the 2022-2023 ski season, more than in previous seasons, but still less than the record of 22 deaths in the 2011-2012 low snow season.

Mello’s father said “more than 50 Marines from around the world” showed up for her memorial service on Jan. 10 and shared stories about his daughter

One of Mello’s former coaches shared a heartfelt statement on Facebook saying, “Jessie Mello is one of those athletes who I believed taught me more than I taught.”

On the afternoon of January 5, a walk was held for Mello (center) to honor 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 death at a ski area in the 2024-2025 ski season
Mello’s devastating end 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 intermediate skiing at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway on New Year’s Eve when the tragedy unfolded.
The boy, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, crashed into a tree and was found unconscious in the snow.
Ski Patrol crews began performing CPR and transported him to the base of the mountain, where he was transported to Maine Health/Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Jack, who was on a ski trip with his parents, brother, cousin and uncle, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.