Daughter of late Olathe mayor dies in climbing accident: ‘Vibrant, adventurous’
The oldest daughter of the late Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland died Saturday after she fell during a cliffside climbing course in Colorado, police said.
Olivia Copeland, 26, was identified by Idaho Springs, Colorado, police as the woman who fell while climbing a mountain on Saturday.
Several law enforcement agencies and paramedics responded just after 3 p.m. to AVA Rafting and Zipline, 431 Highway 103, on a report of a climber that had fallen. According to a preliminary investigation, Copeland was leading a group on Mount Blue Sky via Ferrata, a cliffside climbing course.
Copeland appeared to have fallen during a rappelling portion of the course, police said in a news release. Her death appears accidental, according to preliminary information from police.
An investigation into her death is ongoing by several law enforcement agencies. Police said AVA Rafting and Zipline are also required to notify OSHA about the incident.
A spokesperson for AVA Rafting and Zipline confirmed in an email to The Star that Olivia died while conducting a via ferrata tour. Olivia was known for being “full of life” and put her whole heart into everything she did, said Alison Mathes, a spokeswoman for AVA.
“What made her such an amazing guide was her love for building a genuine connection with every single person she met,” Mathes said. “She taught all of us how to be more positive, curious, and kind human beings.”
“She will be deeply missed, but we will continue to cherish the time that we got with her and our memories of her as a teammate and friend,” Mathes said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family in Kansas City.”
Olivia remembered as ‘vibrant, adventurous’
The Copeland family released a statement on social media that said Copeland was a “vibrant, adventurous, and deeply loved young woman whose light and kindness touched all who knew her.”
“Our family is still in shock, and we are struggling to comprehend this sudden loss, especially so soon after the unexpected passing of her father, Olathe’s former Mayor Michael Copeland, in 2020,” the statement said.
“Even in the midst of this sorrow, we cling to the hope we have in Jesus Christ and trust that Olivia is now safely in His arms.”
The family said they are still learning details about what happened and ask the public for grace as they grieve and seek understanding.
“We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, neighbors, and our community. We ask for privacy as we mourn Olivia and begin to navigate this unimaginable grief,” the family said in the statement.
Since the news of her death, the greater Olathe community has shown an outpouring of support online. Among the messages online was a post from Olathe City Councilwoman LeEtta Felter, who said Olivia had a “spirit made for adventure,” and that she left the world doing what she loved most.
“So many of our best memories include Olivia — weekends at the lake, campfires filled with ghost stories and laughter, late-night talks about life, and moments spent cheering each other on,” Felter said in a Facebook post.
Felter is a close friend of the Copeland family. In a text Tuesday morning, she said Olivia’s father Mike was like a brother to her and that losing her is a lot to take so close to Mike’s death in 2020.
“Olivia was kind and loving in all seasons, and an adoring big sister. Everyone who knew her, loved her deeply,” Felter said on social media. “She often felt that she had not yet found her spot in life. I told her that this was because she was an eagle among pigeons … her thoughts were so lofty and her dreams so big. She was extraordinary. What a gift she was to us.”
“We can’t imagine life without her, but we will carry her light, her laughter, and her love until we meet again.”
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM.
