Australian True Crime: Shortcut – The Yosemite Serial Killer (With a Twist) - ATC International

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Bravecasting
Main Narrator: Meshel Laurie

Episode Overview

This episode of Australian True Crime, narrated by Meshel Laurie, ventures beyond Australian borders to revisit one of America’s most shocking crime sprees: the Yosemite Serial Killer case involving Cary Stayner. Laurie dives into the murders of four women in Yosemite National Park in 1999—a case that horrified the U.S. and shocked investigators with its brutality, complexity, and twisted aftermath. The podcast blends the facts of the case with vivid narrative storytelling, briefly highlights the role of the FBI, addresses the psychological motives of Stayner, and finishes with the impact on victims' families and Stayner’s sentencing.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Serial Killings in America’s Wholesome Heartland

• The case received massive media attention due to the graphic nature of the crimes and the seemingly idyllic setting—Yosemite National Park.
  • "Not only because of its brutality...but because she was the fourth woman to be murdered there that year. Yosemite, it seemed, had been the hunting ground of a serial killer for at least six months." (03:36)

2. The First Murders: Sund and Pelosso Family

• Timeline and Victims:
  • On February 14, 1999: Carol Sund (42), her daughter Julie Sund (15), and Argentine exchange student Silvina Pelosso (16) check into Cedar Lodge.
  • They enjoy dinner, a movie, and a hike—then vanish (04:40–05:26).
• The Search and Discovery:
  • Rangers and volunteers search for ten days.
  • Carol's wallet is found far from the park, shifting the investigation to homicide (05:26).
  • Burned-out car with Carol and Silvina’s remains is found; Julie Sund is missing (05:49–06:07).
  • FBI receives a hand-drawn map leading to Julie’s body and taunting note: “We had fun with this one.” (06:20)

3. A Calculated Culprit

• The killer’s knowledge of the local terrain and the crime's execution implied a local suspect. The FBI focused on area residents and Cedar Lodge employees. (06:42–07:12)

4. Joey Armstrong: The Fourth Victim and Stayner’s Capture

• July 1999:

  • Naturalist Joey Armstrong fails to arrive in San Francisco; friends raise the alarm.
  • Rangers find her decapitated body near her packed car after her disappearance (07:24–07:40).

• Break in the Case:

  • Witness reports an unfamiliar vehicle; a man recalls it was a pale blue 1999 International Scout (07:59).
  • Only two such vehicles are registered in the area (08:50).
  • One is registered to Cary Stayner, a handyman at Cedar Lodge. Police find him naked, sunbathing by a river but let him go after a brief chat due to his local reputation (08:50–09:46).

  “It seems ridiculous to us now, but Cary and his family were very well known in the area. I believe the officer's knowledge of his family background had a lot to do with them letting him go in that moment.” (09:46)

• Stayner Flees and Is Found:

  • Rattled, Stayner returns, hastily packs, flees to Sacramento, then checks into a nudist colony (10:24).
  • FBI finds incriminating evidence in his apartment, releases his description; nudist colony staff recognize him and notify authorities (10:45).
  • FBI agents arrest him—he confesses almost immediately (10:45–11:07).

5. Stayner’s Confessions and M.O.

• Joey Armstrong’s Murder Confession:
  • Stayner recounts approaching Joey, threatening her with a gun, binding her, and attempting to kidnap her. Joey tries to escape, he catches her, and slits her throat (13:24–14:19).

  • “She was kicking and fighting so hard he gave up on the idea of raping her. Instead, he pulled a knife from his backpack and slit her throat.” (14:15)

• Earlier Triple Homicide:
  • Stayner reveals that he planned to target a different group but attacked the Sund and Pelosso women after being denied entry to their room.
  • He gained access posing as a maintenance man, separated the victims, and killed them one by one (15:45–16:45).

6. Media Involvement and The “Twist”

• Reporter Ted Rollins, sensing the scope of the story, interviews Stayner in jail—where Stayner immediately confesses in exchange for the prospect of “a Movie of the Week made about his story.” (18:22–19:24)

  • “He said, before I say anything, I want you to contact producers in Los Angeles because he wants a Movie of the Week made about his story...I wrote down, 'I am guilty. I did murder Carol Sund, Julie Sund, Sylvina Pelosso and Joey Armstrong. Full confession.'” – Ted Rollins (18:29–19:24)

7. The Aftermath: Apology, Motive (or Lack Thereof), and Sentencing

• Public Sentencing:
  • At Joey’s murder sentencing, Stayner wept and apologized:

    “I wish I could take it back, but I can’t. I wish I could tell you why I did such a thing, but I don’t even know myself. I’m so sorry. I wish there was a reason why, but there isn’t. It’s senseless.” – Cary Stayner (19:55)

  • Joey's mother, Lesley Armstrong, said she believed his apology was genuine (19:55).
• Trials and Appeals:
  • Stayner received life without parole for Armstrong’s murder, and the death penalty for the triple homicide after being found sane despite arguments around mental illness and family history (20:07).
  • He remains on death row in San Quentin as of 2025.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the calculated nature of the killer:

  “Judging by the location of the Pontiac, the skillful execution of the abduction, the and even the confidence of the map, they gathered their culprit was a local, or at least someone with good working knowledge of the local area.” (06:42)

• Stayner’s odd behavior at arrest:

  “Officers made their way down, hoping to find the owner…and ran into 37 year old Cary Stayner laying out on a rock in the sunshine, completely naked, smoking a joint. Carrie leapt to his feet, covered himself and made his apologies.” (08:50)

• Reporter Ted Rollins and the confession twist:

  “He wants a Movie of the Week made about his story...I wrote down, 'I am guilty. I did murder Carol Sund, Julie Sund, Sylvina Pelosso and Joey Armstrong.' Full confession.” (18:29–19:24)

• Stayner’s inability to explain himself:

  “I wish I could take it back, but I can't. I wish I could tell you why I did such a thing, but I don't even know myself. I'm so sorry. I wish there was a reason why, but there isn't. It's senseless.” (19:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:36] – Introduction to the murders in Yosemite National Park
• [04:40–06:07] – Disappearance and investigation of Carol Sund, Julie Sund, and Silvina Pelosso
• [06:20] – Discovery of Julie’s body with taunting note
• [07:24–07:40] – Joey Armstrong goes missing, body found
• [08:50] – Identification of Stayner as a suspect, odd encounter with police
• [10:45–11:07] – Stayner’s arrest and initial confession
• [13:24–14:19] – Stayner’s graphic confession about Joey Armstrong’s murder
• [15:45–16:45] – Breakdown of how Stayner committed the triple homicide
• [18:29–19:24] – Reporter Ted Rollins’ jail interview and Stayner’s written confession
• [19:55] – Stayner’s courtroom apology
• [20:07] – Sentencing and Stayner’s fate

Conclusion

This episode provides a chilling, meticulously detailed journey through the Yosemite Serial Killer case, highlighting both the investigation’s complexity and the stunning speed with which Stayner confessed. Meshel Laurie maintains empathy for the victims, while the “twist” in the case’s coverage—Stayner’s own narcissistic motivations and the reporter’s opportunistic catch—adds a tragicomic undercurrent to the dark tale. Through this story, the episode not only explores the mechanics of a serial killer case but also subtly interrogates the nature of evil and the sometimes arbitrary ways justice arrives.