Local police and Yosemite Park Rangers began to search the area where the missing three were last seen. But he was surprised that did not find his wife at the airport and assumed she had flown ahead, The next day, he tried to contact them again and failed and he called the police. Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith Claims Alex Murdaugh Made Him A Fall Guy, Morgan Doughty Filed A Lawsuit Against The Murdaugh Family, Buster Murdaugh Testified For The Defense At His Fathers Double Murder Trial, Randy Roth From 'A Rose For Her Grave' Is Still In Prison, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. He remains on Steven was a national hero. For four weeks, police, family, and volunteers searched the area in and near Yosemite National Park by helicopter, foot, and skis. He said, I want you to get a hold of some producers in Los Angeles. Then all of a sudden it's gone. Had no interest in girls, had no interest in people, he was just a creepy loner. He paid a local kid to ride with him to the town of Ukiah, California and he told to go and find him a boy. Her mother had been dating him and he had decided to kill them on Valentines Day. She also happens to have a front row seat to two true crime narratives in her own family. Then he took action. He was charged with attempting to purchase a child and attempted child molestation in 2004, that he was sentenced to 25 years to life. Or certainly, nothing noticed by his colleagues at the motel. It then came out that Steven had been kidnapped by Parnell, who had been sexually abusing Steven while also posing as his father and forcing him to go by the name Dennis Parnell. He was known to take refuge in nearby Yosemite, where hed drive up and get lost in nature. "We never really got along that well after he came back All of a sudden Steve was getting all these gifts, getting all this clothing, getting all this attention. Check-out had apparently been done in advance and the keys were left on the room desk. The Cedar Lodge hired him as a handyman in 1997 and gave him the use of a small apartment on the top floor. It was discovered beyond a campground adjacent to her living quarters in the Foresta community, a group of 30 cabins for use by park workers. Stayner, 38, has been charged with murder in the July 21 death of naturalist Joie Armstrong. It was badly decomposed and her throat had been cut. Cary was the ideal son, Kay Stayner revealed to the jury during her elder sons trial for murder. He walked naked and and smoked pot, he could find the peace that he so desperately needed. Cary Stayner, now 57, was convicted of the murders of Armstrong, the Sunds and Pelosso, and sentenced to death for all except Armstrong's. On the way to his police interview he confessed to a detective in the car to murdering Joie Armstrong, describing the brutal killing "as if he was reading a soup label," said John Boles, another FBI agent on the case. However, when they found Cary at a nudist colony nearby and brought him in for questioning, he quickly confessed to Armstrongs murder, and soon after admitted he was also responsible for the first three killings. Out of respect for his family and the victim's family, we don't want to say anymore." In a 2003 jailhouse interview with The Chronicle, Parnell admitted that he had tried to buy the boy to experience the "love and respect" that a son has for a father. After the fourth murder, the FBI went looking for Cary Stayner to interview him, but initially as a witness. Although most of the stains were likely to include Armstrong's blood, Stayner was observed to have a laceration on his hand during his interrogation, and therefore may have been cut and bled during the attack. Something was clearly very, very wrong. For years, Parnell traveled around California with Steven. In the end, Stayner confessed without the promise of child pornography or reward money for his parents. "He stated that he felt like jumping in a truck, driving it through the shop and killing the boss and killing everybody in the office, and then torching the place," friend Mark Marchese said in 1999. It was not animated or digitally created; a stunt driver put the truck into a full controlled jackknife in front of the camera. The new three-part Hulu docuseries Captive Audience explores the tragic story of the Stayner family specifically the fraught lives of their two sons, Steven Stayner and Cary Stayner. I was the oldest and all that. It was then that Steven's nightmare began as Murphy brought him to Kenneth Parnell, a known pedophile. I wouldnt think that he would think of himself as one, but he is a hero.". The initial suspicion was that they may have wandered off the main hiking paths and got lost in the park. Investigators searched his truck and confiscated his backpack for examination. Among other things, the FBI Laboratory has found hairs in vacuum sweepings taken from Room 509 and possibly body fluid stains on a blanket (and) a latent palm print from the window sill. Silvina Pelossos mother, Raquel, said, I just cannot understand how so many peopledidn't realize that maybe (Stayner) was the man since I heard that he was interviewed some time ago. They were looking for the missing red 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix as well as the women. "'Deep in my heart I know something my mind does not want to learn,' said Gina,13. Connections While Steven was a freshman at Mendocino High School, some 300 miles to the south, his older brother Cary was an upperclassman at Merced High School. Robyn Lively is a step sister of Blake Lively. Campbell, when first arrested on mail fraud charges, had in her possession Carole Sund's checking account and automated teller machine numbers. But why doesnt my dad hug me anymore? After graduation from Merced (California) High School, Stayner worked as a window installer at a glass company. Cary Stayner was sentenced Thursday to die for committing three murders near Yosemite National Park in 1999. In (the) interview, Stayner said he had fantasized about killing women for the last 30 years and described in detail how he murdered all the women, He had strangled Pelosso and Carole Sund in their rented cabin in the Cedar Lodge motel, then took Juli Sund to a lake, where he killed her early the next morning. Upon examination by the FBI Laboratory, some items have yielded trace evidence. He also exhibited some behaviors that made others uncomfortable, including, as he later admitted, exposing himself to his sister's friend. Sandy Cox, whose husband owned the window company where Stayner worked for in Atwater, says, "We've known Cary since he was a little boyIt just doesn't match up. ", The FBI was reluctant to finger Stayner because, they, and many others, did not believe that Stayner acted by himself, given the brazen killing of the three women in the Cedar Lodge Motel and the disposal of the bodies. By the end of June, the FBI had reviewed the testimonies and the evidence linked to the suspects in custody. The trivia item below may give away important plot points. Cary didnt emerge as a suspect during the initial investigation, and the FBI actually believed they had the people responsible for the killings in custody. She was subpoenaed because she is a friend of Dykes and Larwick. He befriended a co-worker named Ervin Murphy to assist him in the abduction. He had talked his way into the room under the guise of fixing a leak, and then sexually assaulted both girls and brutally murdered Carole Lund and Silvina Pelosso in the room. That same day, Stayner allowed himself to be interviewed by a reporter from KNTV. In his capacity, Stayner performed technical and housekeeping duties, everything from fixing electrical and mechanical breakdowns to delivering extra towels and bedding to guests. Steven Stayner helped another child escape from a pedophile, after enduring years of abuse and not wanting to see the child experience the same fate. Unofficially, Jens Sund offered a $250,000 reward for information that would lead to the return of the missing women. Steven Stayners fame was short-lived. After first flying to San Francisco, where Carole rented a red 1999 Pontiac Gran Prix, they stopped in Stockton, where Juli took part in a cheerleading contest at the University of the Pacific. Kenneth"Soldier" Stewart, 24, a former cellmate of Dykes who was charged with attempted murder. At the time of the murders, Cary was working as a mechanic at the Cedar Lodge, which is where he met his first three victims Carole Sund, her daughter Juli Sund, and her friend Silvina Pelosso. Jeffrey Wayne Keeney, 32, of Modesto. I never recognized either one of them.". Jens couldn't accompany them on this trip because he needed to prepare for an upcoming business trip. The FBI Laboratory has also found possible bodily fluid stains on a bed sheet taken from her residence. I did murder Carole Sund, Juli Sund, Silvina Pelosso and Joie Armstrong None of the women were sexually abused in any way.". Larry Duane Utley, 41 an associate of Dykes and Larwick, first picked up during a March parole sweep. Chief James Maddock said he himself questioned whether the Bureau could have done anything to prevent Armstrong's killing. But by the middle of March, their hopes faded. It was the last time the women were seen alive. Caroles parents, Francis and Carole Carrington, appeared on the Good Morning, America TV show, to ask for the prayers of Americans and their help in locating their daughter and the children. She was seen that day at the Institute offices and was planning to visit a friend in Sausalito, California, that day but never made it. Eugene "Rufus" Dykes, 32, also of Modesto and Larwick's half-brother was arrested in March. It was dark when they arrived and Timmy could remember where he lived so they went to the police station. On February 12, 1999, Carole Sund, 42, her daughter Juli 15, and Silvina Pelosso 16, left their home in Eureka, California to go on vacation in the area near Yosemite National Park in the same state in the United States. The suspect, Cary Stayner, 37, had been one of the people questioned after the triple killings in February, but, at that time no evidence linked him directly to the crime and he had been released. When Steven didnt return from school that afternoon, his parents sounded the alarm. Although the Merced police department launched a full-fledged investigation at the time of Stevens disappearance, they werent able to find any significant leads. Maria Ledbetter, 24, of Modesto, an admitted methamphetamine addict and former girlfriend of Dykes, about whom she was questioned extensively. See the latest list of Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, See more StrangeOutdoors True Crime Stories, The horrific rape and murder of Sophie Louise Hook whilst camping in her Uncle's garden, The miracle rescue of Alan Lee Phillips at Colorados Guanella Pass - the man who turned out to be a serial killer, The chilling story of Thomas Lee Dillon - the Ohio Outdoorsmen killer, https://casefilepodcast.com/case-161-the-yosemite-sightseer-murders-part-1/, https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/stayner-cary.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary_Stayner, https://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-cary-stayner-tale-brothers-horror-heroism/story?id=60529944, https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/me-timothy-white10-2010apr10-story.html, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a26040174/cary-stayner-steven-yosemite-murders/, https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/july-25-1999-cary-stayner-arrested-murder-yosemite-60263995, https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-recalls-moment-family-learned-target-1999-yosemite/story?id=60364987, https://www.theunion.com/news/local-news/stayner-sentenced-to-death/, Tagged: The Yosemite National Park Sightseer Murders, Carole Sund yosemite murders, Juli Sund yosemite murders, Silvina Pelosso yosemite murders, Cary Stayner yosemite murders, Yosemite park murders, Joie Ruth Armstrong, Sign up now for a one-time fee for access to over 55 exclusive member articles, The Yosemite National Park Sightseer Murders and the two faces of evil, Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, The Yosemite National Park Sightseer Murders, The miraculous escape of the Brazilian and German backpackers at Salt Creek in South Australia, Robert Hansen Butcher Baker - the Alaska Serial killer who hunted his victims in the wilderness, The shocking unsolved Keddie Cabin murders, The disturbing death of Fiona Torbet in the Scottish highlands, The unsolved Williams and Winans camping murders in Shenandoah National Park, The real Wolf Creek - The Backpacker Murders in the Australian Outback, The disturbing story of David Shearing and the Wells Gray Park camping murders, The mysterious death of Carol Laughlin in Yosemite National Park, The frightening case of the Trailside Killer David Carpenter, The mysterious Koh Tao - Death Island in Paradise, The disturbing disappearance of the Beaumont children on Glenelg Beach, The Kamloops Triangle - The British Columbia murders and disappearances, The Delphi hiking murders - Abigail Williams and Liberty German, The Peter Falconio disappearance in the Australian Outback, The unsolved murder of Scott Lilly on the Appalachian trail, The disturbing case of James Jordan - The Appalachian Trail Murderer. The American Court TV (now TruTV) television series Mugshots released an episode on the Stayner case titled "Cary Stayner The Cedar Lodge Killings". [29] In 2018, the Reelz channel aired an hour-long documentary about the murders titled Yosemite Park Killer. He had no criminal record and his only encounter with the law was for marijuana use in 1997. 5-year-old Timothy White walking home from school and they quickly snatched him. You know, hung out with him, played with him.. Steven and Cary Stayner: The tale of two brothers' horror - ABC In mid-July of 2002, the trial began in Judge Thomas C. Hastings courtroom. I wish I could have controlled myself and not done what I did. He told Hartman that his parents "didnt change that much," but his brother and sisters, "they changed a lot. Goofs Whites stepfather, Roger Gitlin, said White died April 1, 2010, of an apparent pulmonary embolism. Then on March 25, Juli Sunds body was discovered near Lake Pedro in Tuolumme County. You have the other brother who's left at home. In 1972, Stayners Stayner said to investigators I want you to get a hold of some producers in Los Angeles. Ashley Stayner is a self-professed true crime fan. FBI agent Nick Rossi said on February 26, "At this point, we have not yet uncovered evidence to allow us to determine conclusively whether this was a tragic accident or a criminal act. Two weeks later, FBI agent James Maddock, now placed in charge of the investigation, told the press, "We feel almost certain that the women were victims of a violent crime.". The two hitchhiked to Ukiah, California. The issue of whether his confession was coerced seemed to be resolved when on July 24, the court heard the recorded demands that Stayner made to the FBI agents that he wanted to be satisfied before he would give them his confession. But it took less than six months for another murder in the area to show them that the killer was still at large this time, the victim was 26-year-old naturalist Joie Armstrong. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He usually ate lunch and dinner at the motel restaurant. He was a good student, a The FBI also seized clothing stained with blood from her body. Upon release, the FBI warned him not to leave El Portal. "I remember going out one night after Steve disappeared and wishing on a star that my brother would come back home," Cary reportedly told Mike Echols, author of the book I Know My First Name Is Steven. She was working for the Yosemite Institute for the past year and had worked on education programs through a partnership with the National Park Service. Against the odds, he flourished there. Teresa Kay Gray, 36, of Modesto. He was also angry about how his truck had been searched. The trio stayed at the lodge in February 1999, during which time Cary talked his way into their room, where he sexually assaulted and murdered all of them. They then headed out for Cedar Lodge in El Portal on February 14, which is located on Yosemite's western slope. They lived in the farming town of Merced, California, the Gateway to Yosemite. He abandoned the group's rental car with the bodies of Carole and Silvina inside, returning two days later to burn the evidence and retrieve the wallet, which he dumped in Modesto to confuse authorities. "Privately, some members of the Sund-Pelosso task force were saying the same things to the media. So while Parnell was at work, Steven ran away with Timothy, and the two hitchhiked to a police station in Ukiah, California. He was sentenced to seven years in prison but only served five, less time than he held Steven captive. He had given the FBI details "only the killer would know in such specificity that agents were able to recover evidence confirming his confession. After Steven said his mother would be interested in donating, Murphy offered to take the boy home. Hastings rejected new defense claims that juror misconduct prevented a fair trial. Still, the Bureau intensified its search, recruiting the use of more high-tech equipment and air support. I never did tell anybody about it, but I remember wishing on a star that my little brother would come back home. Management found him a hard worker and honest. On Dec. 4, 1972, Steven, 7, was walking alone to his familys home in Merced, California, when he was coaxed into the car of convicted child rapist Kenneth Parnell, who was posing as a minister. Cary, as the older brother, had a very strange relationship now with his younger brother, Steven, who was getting all of this attention and who was a different person, former KNTV reporter Ted Rowlands told ABC News. The revelation came in a six During an off-camera jailhouse interview in Sacramento following his arrest, Cary admitted to Armstrong's murder as well as the murders of Carole Sund, 42, her Michael "Mick" Larwick, 42, of Modesto, part of a vagabond group of methamphetamine drug users and friends centered in the Modesto area. By Friday, July 23rd, Stayner, in the meantime, had disappeared from the area, by the time agents came to arrest him. However, there were warning signs during his younger years. "The only time Steve would kill anything like a fish is because we were gonna eat it. The Sund family's worst fears were confirmed when a hiker wandered onto the site of a burned-out red 1999 Pontiac, hidden off Highway 108, in the Stanislaus Forest region on March 18. Ken Parnell went back to what he had been doing for years. Knives were used in the slayings and the weapon suspected in Ms. Armstrong's death was recovered.". Larwick, who grew up in Tuolumme County near where the bodies of Carole Sund and Silvina Pelosso were found, was jailed on March 16 after he allegedly shot a Modesto police office. After several days, the bodies were identified as Carole Sund and Silvina Pelosso through dental records. Billy Joe Strange, 39, an El Portal parolee who worked at the Cedar Lodge lounge and restaurant, where the murdered women were last seen. Despite this, he never appeared to behave lewdly nor perversely in public. To the dismay of the Stayner family, the case went cold. Agents arrived at the scene early on the 19th and upon opening the trunk, investigators found two charred bodies. His attempt was foiled when other people were at the house at the time he was planning to commit the crimes. In this, he calmly reviewed how he strangled 16-year-old Silvina Pelosso in the motel bathtub and how he sexually assaulted Juli Sund for hours before brutally cutting her throat. I guess I was jealous. The inn staff claimed that when they cleaned the room the next morning, they had detected no evidence of foul play or anything that made them suspicious. On Good Morning America in March 1980, Steven shared with host David Hartman that it felt "great" to be home. Stayners father, Delbert Stayner, said his son was deprived of a fair trial by a kangaroo court and a judge who ignored defense arguments. He did feel, however, that the FBI spared nothing to investigate the earlier killings. In order to prevent Steven from escaping, Parnell was constantly moving the two of them from town to town in California. On July 23, when Cary Stayner was released from custody for his marijuana charge, he quickly packed up and left for Laguna del Sol, a nudist colony, according to In 1999, Carole Sund, 42, her daughter Juli Sund, 15, and Juli's friend, Silvina Pelosso, 16, went missing while visiting Yosemite Park. Ive never seen anything thats so close to black and white and evil and good as Stayner and our children, said Francis Carrington, the father of Carole Sund and grandfather of Juli. He demanded that his parents be given the reward money, that he be incarcerated at a prison near his parents home, and, to Stayners detriment, that he be given a large cache of child pornography.
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