Chapter 1: What happened to the park rangers in Oswald West State Park?
Hi park enthusiasts, it's Delia. If you listen to Park Predators, you already know that sometimes the most beautiful places can hide the darkest secrets. But what happens when the danger isn't miles from civilization? It's in your community, and sometimes even in your own backyard.
On Crime Junkie, hosts Ashley and Britt dive into real cases every week, from missing persons to unsolved murders, breaking down what we know, what we don't, and the details that still don't sit right. If you care about the stories behind the headlines and the victims at the center of them, you'll want to check out Crime Junkie. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, park enthusiasts.
I'm your host, Delia D'Ambra. And the case I'm going to share with you today takes place in Oswald West State Park in Oregon. Big draws to this park are lots of trails, sandy beaches, and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. If you drive about two hours west of the city of Portland, you'll run right into it.
The park is a go-to spot for beachcombers, surfers, hikers, and recreationalists seeking to experience the best of Oregon's coastline. There are several areas that house secluded coves and beaches, and if you're someone who's into long-distance treks, 13 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail wind through the park to give you a pretty decent taste of what it has to offer.
You can't camp at Oswald West these days, but it didn't always used to be that way. Back in 1999, there were a few select places where visitors could pitch a tent, and it was at one of those spots that two park rangers came face-to-face with a dangerous human predator. One of them made it out alive. The other didn't.
A few months ago, I was able to speak with this survivor, and the story he shared with me is something I will never forget. This is Park Predators.
Thank you.
Shortly after seven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, April 27th, 1999, a park ranger named Jack Kerwin pulled into a parking lot at Oswald West State Park to meet up with his coworker, 50-year-old Danny Blumenthal. The two men were scheduled to complete some ground maintenance at the campsites there before the campground was set to officially open in a few days.
So they parked near a small service shed that the parks department used to store supplies and tools in and got right to their duties. As Jack shoveled some rock into a small trailer behind a utility vehicle and leveled out some campsites, Danny made his way to the end of the campground's parking lot to clean the restroom.
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Chapter 2: How did the kidnapping of the park rangers unfold?
At the time of the kidnapping, Larry had prior convictions dating back to 1968 for everything from burglary to receiving stolen property to interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle. So the feds knew he was not to be underestimated.
During the manhunt, officials had told the press that should anyone come in contact with him or Bonnie, they needed to alert authorities immediately and not engage with the couple. The FBI specifically said Larry was considered armed and dangerous.
In the aftermath of the kidnapping ordeal, Frank Van Balen told reporter Richard Lawson he didn't have the faintest idea why he and his wife had been targeted. He said that Larry had only worked at his fiberglass plant for about six months, but other than that, there was nothing else connecting the two couples.
Betty Ann later told the Daily Astorian neither she nor Frank had ever previously met Larry. In May 1974, a month after being arrested, the Coles both pleaded guilty to extortion and kidnapping and were sentenced to 25 years and 18 years in prison, respectively.
During the couple's sentencing hearing, Betty Ann testified about what had happened to her and she told the court that, based on her experience, it was evident that the Coles' plan was extremely calculated and well thought out. Kind of a side note, but one thing I think is worth mentioning.
When I interviewed Jack Kerwin, he told me that he was told that Betty Ann had expressed it was actually Bonnie who'd frightened her more than Larry. Regarding her perception of Bonnie, Betty Ann later told the Oregonian, "...she was the hardest female I'd ever seen. You could have hit her with a hammer, and it would have broken the hammer."
And when you think about it, I mean, it was Bonnie who'd made the phone call that caused Betty Ann to take the bait, so to speak. She'd also been the first person to pull a gun on Betty Ann. And according to at least some of the coverage I saw on this case, Bonnie was the person who reportedly drove to the ransom exchange.
According to Betty Ann's testimony in court, Larry had sat in the backseat with her holding a gun while Bonnie guided the three of them to the rail station for the ransom exchange. Though I did read some articles that stated it was Bonnie who held the gun on Betty Ann while Larry drove.
But either way, after being sentenced, Larry began serving his time behind bars in June 1974, and he moved between a few different federal penitentiaries until his early release in 1982. That year, he was granted parole, but just two years later, in 1984, he was sent back to prison for a few months for violating the conditions of his release.
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