Delia D'Ambra

But still, it would be nice to know that someone still cares to find answers.

I reached out to the Holmes Beach Police Department for this episode, but didn't hear back.

If you think you might have information that could help them, contact their office on their website or consider reaching out to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Links to those agencies are posted on the blog post for this episode and the show notes.

Park Predators is an AudioChuck production.

You can view a list of all the source material for this episode on our website, parkpredators.com.

You can also follow Park Predators on Instagram, at Park Predators.

I think Chuck would approve.

Hi, park enthusiasts.

I'm your host, Delia D'Ambra, and the case I'm going to tell you about today takes place in Burke County, North Carolina, in a stretch of woods in the western part of the state, close to the Pisgah National Forest.

I first discovered this case while researching another incident from this region, but the available reporting on this crime was pretty slim, so I knew that in order to cover it thoroughly, I was going to have to connect with the people closest to the investigation to get the inside scoop.

The perpetrator in this case didn't just take one life.

He took several, all within a time span of just a few days.

The story involved a lot of moving parts, car crashes, foot chases, and an officer-involved shooting.

So getting a hold of the firsthand accounts and documents related to all those elements was critical.

It's been more than a decade since the crimes took place, but for many residents and law enforcement officials in Western North Carolina, the saga of events I'm going to dive into today is still quite fresh.

According to a tourism website for Burke County, it's known for being, quote, nature's playground, unquote, and a destination where you can catch beautiful sights, enjoy a small-town atmosphere, and learn about the area's rich history.

If you're familiar with Grandfather Mountain, that landmark is less than an hour from Burke County.

However, in the spring of 2014, the idyllic and inviting image of the region was tragically shattered when one ruthless predator tore through the community on a violent rampage.

The fracture effect of his actions on the people there was immeasurable.