Delia D'Ambra

I couldn't find much out there about Art though or why his name came into the picture in the Mellinger case other than author Michael Bradley stating in his book that he was just one of those people in town who seemed to have a lot of enemies that wanted to take him down.

I couldn't find much out there about Art though or why his name came into the picture in the Mellinger case other than author Michael Bradley stating in his book that he was just one of those people in town who seemed to have a lot of enemies that wanted to take him down.

I did find another source that claimed Art and his son were later tried for the crime and acquitted but I was unable to find anything else that corroborates that account. And that's the tricky thing when it comes to researching cases like this that are so old. When you try to distill fact from fiction, details start to get kind of muddy.

I did find another source that claimed Art and his son were later tried for the crime and acquitted but I was unable to find anything else that corroborates that account. And that's the tricky thing when it comes to researching cases like this that are so old. When you try to distill fact from fiction, details start to get kind of muddy.

The brass tacks of it is, some people felt strongly that Jasper Mellinger was murdered, while others remained convinced he was a victim of the elements. No foul play whatsoever. The fact of the matter is, the terrain he was hiking in from Roaring Fork toward Hazel Creek wasn't for the faint of heart.

The brass tacks of it is, some people felt strongly that Jasper Mellinger was murdered, while others remained convinced he was a victim of the elements. No foul play whatsoever. The fact of the matter is, the terrain he was hiking in from Roaring Fork toward Hazel Creek wasn't for the faint of heart.

Author Michael Bradley explains in his book that there were sheer rock faces, slopes, gulches, and even waterfalls along that route, none of which were particularly safe. There were also many ridges that required a person to hike up and down on, so theoretically Jasper could have gotten stuck in any number of trappers' devices in terrain like that.

Author Michael Bradley explains in his book that there were sheer rock faces, slopes, gulches, and even waterfalls along that route, none of which were particularly safe. There were also many ridges that required a person to hike up and down on, so theoretically Jasper could have gotten stuck in any number of trappers' devices in terrain like that.

Something that stands out to me, though, is that Jasper was reportedly supposed to be a fearless and strong man, who by all accounts was very familiar with the trails he was walking.

Something that stands out to me, though, is that Jasper was reportedly supposed to be a fearless and strong man, who by all accounts was very familiar with the trails he was walking.

So the suggestion that he succumb to the elements without doing everything in his power to signal for help, or free himself from the trap and get home, doesn't quite align with the most common characterizations of him. Then again, anything can happen in the woods, even to the best of us. Many years after his death, the state of Tennessee passed two laws that banned the use of steel traps.

So the suggestion that he succumb to the elements without doing everything in his power to signal for help, or free himself from the trap and get home, doesn't quite align with the most common characterizations of him. Then again, anything can happen in the woods, even to the best of us. Many years after his death, the state of Tennessee passed two laws that banned the use of steel traps.

Interestingly, when she was still alive, this was legislation that Martha Mellinger had hoped would eventually come to fruition. In the early 1940s, the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior officially recognized the area where Jasper's remains were found as Mellinger Death Ridge. That title is what the landmark is called to this day.

Interestingly, when she was still alive, this was legislation that Martha Mellinger had hoped would eventually come to fruition. In the early 1940s, the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior officially recognized the area where Jasper's remains were found as Mellinger Death Ridge. That title is what the landmark is called to this day.

And in my opinion, it's an appropriate name. One that I imagine has likely made many people pause before taking their next steps upward. Park Predators is an AudioChuck production. You can view a list of all the source material for this episode on our website, parkpredators.com. And you can also follow Park Predators on Instagram, at parkpredators. So, what do you think, Chuck? Do you approve?

And in my opinion, it's an appropriate name. One that I imagine has likely made many people pause before taking their next steps upward. Park Predators is an AudioChuck production. You can view a list of all the source material for this episode on our website, parkpredators.com. And you can also follow Park Predators on Instagram, at parkpredators. So, what do you think, Chuck? Do you approve?

Hi everyone, I'm investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D'Ambra, and every week on my podcast, Park Predators, I take you into the heart of our world's most stunning locations to uncover what sinister crimes have unfolded in these serene settings.

Hi everyone, I'm investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D'Ambra, and every week on my podcast, Park Predators, I take you into the heart of our world's most stunning locations to uncover what sinister crimes have unfolded in these serene settings.

From unsolved murders to chilling disappearances, each Tuesday we dive deep into the details of cases that will leave you knowing sometimes the most beautiful places hide the darkest secrets. Listen to Park Predators now wherever you listen to podcasts.

From unsolved murders to chilling disappearances, each Tuesday we dive deep into the details of cases that will leave you knowing sometimes the most beautiful places hide the darkest secrets. Listen to Park Predators now wherever you listen to podcasts.