Dark Mysteries & Chilling True Crime Cases from America’s National Parks

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In this brand new episode of States of Discovery, Sara and Marisa explore the chilling true crime cases and unexplained mysteries within America’s national parks. They discuss infamous cases like the unsolved murders in Shenandoah, mysterious disappearances in Death Valley, and eerie findings in Yellowstone.

Joined by experts from National Park After Dark and Crime Off the Grid, they examine the challenges of investigating crimes in vast, remote landscapes, the lack of centralized missing persons data, and the complexities of jurisdiction. They also provide crucial safety tips for park visitors and discuss the growing impact of tourism on these protected lands. The episode concludes with a reflection on how these stories influence public perception, inspiring curiosity, and conservation rather than deterring visitors.

When speaking with National Park After Dark, they dove into the harrowing stories of true crime in National Parks that shaped the NPAD podcast into what it is today.

States of Discovery: What inspired your interest in exploring and sharing stories about true crime in National Parks?

National Park After Dark: We both grew up in Southern New Hampshire, and spent a lot of our free time in the woods and wilds of the state. While exploring the White Mountains together, we'd often find ourselves chatting about some of the darker events that unfolded on the same trails we were hiking. As time went on and our explorations grew, we found ourselves gravitating towards researching all of the places we visited. Turns out, every place has a storied past - and arming ourselves with that knowledge enhanced our visits and grounded us further into our adventures.  We felt that could be shared with others, in hopes they would have a similar experience. 

Can you share a specific case or story that stands out to you as particularly haunting or perplexing?

The story of serial killer/serial rapist David Carpenter aka "the trailside killer" is particularly haunting. Known for stalking and murdering individuals (primarily women) on hiking trails in state parks near San Francisco in the 1970's and 80's, he was convicted of seven murders, but is suspected to be responsible for at least 10. This one sticks out for a lot of reasons, but mostly because we see ourselves in his victims. Young women out exploring the beauty of the world when their lives were senselessly and brutally cut short. 

How do you approach the research process when diving into true crime stories in these protected natural spaces?

It depends on the story! Largely, we rely on primary sources as much as possible (newspaper articles, trial transcripts, interviews, affidavits, etc), however, we also love a good book - and by and large, most of the stories we share on NPAD tend to have entire books written about them. When visiting parks in person, we are always on the lookout for informational boards and signs that lead to more in depth information, or seek out park rangers/historians when able. 

How do you think these stories influence public perception and tourism to National Parks?

We believe stories that we share positively influence public perception and tourism to National Parks. Over the last four years, we have received hundreds, if not thousands of emails and comments from listeners who all say variations of the same sentiment: "I would have never known about xyz in X Park, but now that I do, I can't wait to see for myself - thank you for sharing, now I have another place to add to my list!". Despite most stories involving some sort of death or disaster, the undertone of each story is to inspire others to care about the places the stories took place in. We want to connect listeners to these wild spaces so that in turn, that connection will turn to care. We have found that the connection for a lot of people is found in a memorable story. 

What advice would you give to someone exploring National Parks who wants to stay safe but still embrace their sense of adventure?

Do plenty of research prior, but make sure to stop at the visitor's center or ranger stations! Rangers aren't just there to make sure you don't litter or to hand out park maps - they are a wealth of knowledge and are eager to help you have a memorable but safe experience. They know the parks better than anyone - trail conditions, plant and animal life, weather patterns, etc. and can help guide you to what you need to know and how to be a responsible visitor, all while encouraging you to have a blast.