Blood Trails – Ep. 3: A Monster Among Us, Part 2 (Nov 13, 2025)

Host: MeatEater, Jordan Sillars
Main Theme: The aftermath and reverberations of a 30-year-old cold case finally solved—the murder of 15-year-old Danny Houchens by respected BLM biologist and hunter Paul Hutchinson. This episode delves into the impact on families, the outdoors community, law enforcement, and the ongoing fight for justice and reform.

Episode Overview

This installment picks up after Paul Hutchinson, identified as Danny Houchens’ killer, dies by suicide following his initial arrest. The episode investigates how Hutchinson’s secret double life has left his family, friends, and the outdoor community struggling with grief, confusion, and unanswered questions. Guided by interviews with Paul’s relatives, hunting partners, colleagues, and victim advocates, host Jordan Sillars examines the broader implications for cold case investigations and safety in wild places.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impact on the Hutchinson Family

• Zach Hutchinson, Paul’s nephew, describes the shocking schism between the uncle he admired and the killer revealed in the investigation.
  • Quote: “It's kind of like when you find out your hero is a fraud. This guy was like one of the most pure versions of a role model… I just felt like it was all a fraud.” — Zach Hutchinson (03:23)
• The family faces community backlash—vandalism, threats, public anger. Paul’s wife Christie posts a note expressing heartbreak and denial of warning signs (04:39).

2. How Paul Was Perceived by the Outdoor Community

• Hunters and colleagues describe a friendly, helpful, but somewhat awkward man dedicated to sharing knowledge.
  • Quote: “He was always happy to share hunting tips… I guess you could say Paul was good at keeping secrets.” — Bryant Jones, hunting acquaintance (05:56)
  • Many recall positive interactions; some, like Heath Smith, voice unease that now feels prescient.
    • Quote: “My wife has the spidey sense… when he left, she definitely had the heebie jeebies. And maybe we just were kind of blind to it.” — Heath Smith (07:43)
• Colleagues recount antisocial or odd behaviors—missed meetings, unexplained absences—that now seem more sinister (08:00).

3. Interactions with Female BLM Employees

• Investigator Tom Elfmont urges BLM to review Paul’s history with female interns.
  • Quote: “If you really want a full-time job... we’re out here in the middle of the woods, so you gotta do this or that.” — Tom Elfmont (09:24)
• Jordan Walker, a young intern, shares an uncomfortable experience: Paul was irritable and left her feeling vulnerable in remote areas (10:14).
  • Quote: “I was a little spooked for sure. I guess I just looked back… anything could have happened to me.” — Jordan Walker (10:37)
• “Molly,” another former intern, describes a normal if reserved working relationship. The revelation of Paul’s crime made her question her own judgment and experience (12:46).
  • Quote: “Paul is the one who taught me how to electrofish, and that was kind of huge… does that change the path that got me here?” — Molly (12:46)
• Despite concerns, no formal complaints were ever lodged; BLM declines to comment (13:46).

4. Advocacy and the Fight for Systemic Change

• Stephanie, a victims’ advocate and family member, starts a campaign for legal reform: demanding increased funding for Montana’s crime lab, peer review for police departments, and a statewide cold case database (18:26).
  • Quote: “Call and write to your Legislators… Demand a centralized database of cold cases in this state. We must demand better for victims of sexual assault and murder in Montana.” — Stephanie (18:26)
• She plans a wrongful death lawsuit against Paul’s estate to create accountability, even though Paul is no longer alive to face justice (19:36, 19:50).
  • Quote: “Other rapists and murderers don’t think that the pathway of taking your own life is a viable pathway to dodge accountability… I’m going to see that accountability through.” — Stephanie (19:50)

5. The Question of Other Possible Victims

• Forensic psychologist Dr. Jeff Kalchevsky and investigator Tom Elfmont discuss whether Paul might have committed further crimes (22:38, 26:58).
  • Dr. Kalchevsky notes some offenders act once and keep it secret, but Paul's outdoors lifestyle and extensive hunting travel raise the probability of other offenses. He highlights the need to examine his military career for clues (23:33).
    • Quote: “If someone has a twisted sexual paraphilia… sometimes it’s just a matter of time before it comes out.” — Dr. Jeff Kalchevsky (23:33)
  • Tom Elfmont points to a disturbing unresolved family report: Paul allegedly made advances toward his 10-year-old niece years ago, which was never reported to police (27:35).
    • Quote: “If I got a phone call today from a small sheriff’s department in East Texas…we found a woman who was raped along a river… and we found out Paul had a turkey hunting license in Texas at that time—it wouldn’t surprise me at all.” — Tom Elfmont (28:16)
• Dr. Kalchevsky suggests serial offenders often develop identifiable patterns, which law enforcement can now scan for in other jurisdictions (29:03).

6. Community Response and Reflections from MeatEater

• Steve Rinella, host and founder of MeatEater, shares the wave of shock that gripped Bozeman and the hunting community at the realization that the killer “was one of us” (30:09).
  • Quote: “It just all of a sudden just felt very central to our town, central to our communities, central to hunters and anglers that live in this area.” — Steve Rinella (30:09)
• He paints a vivid picture of the Gallatin River access, describing its solitude and how a crime there could easily go undetected, even midday (32:41).
• There’s a candid discussion on hunting culture, how rarely people consider human violence as a potential threat, and the unspoken trust in wilderness spaces (34:43, 35:23).
  • Quote: “We never, ever talk about being attacked by a human being… It’s not a thing that takes up a lot of psychological space.” — Steve Rinella (34:43)
• Rinella reflects on the reporting challenges—many sources willing to share information only off the record—and the frustration of not being able to paint the full picture for listeners (36:49).
  • Quote: “They would tell you to clear their conscience… but say he couldn’t share it… That’s frustrating. You want to be like the judge who’s able to lay it all out, but you’re prevented… needing to honor anonymity.” — Steve Rinella (38:38)
• He is haunted by the question of how Paul could have carried on for decades, enjoying family and nature after such a horrific crime (39:29).
  • Quote: “How could someone ever find or retain joy in those things, knowing what they had done… What is in a person that they can then enjoy their life?” — Steve Rinella (40:21)

Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• On family betrayal:
  • “It's kind of like when you find out your hero is a fraud.” — Zach Hutchinson (03:23)
• On community anger:
  • “His kids and wife have to take the brunt of all that.” — Zach Hutchinson (04:23)
• On dark humor in retrospect:
  • “Our families are worried about us. You know, they think you might be a killer kind of joke. We all had a laugh…” — Heath Smith (07:06)
• On vulnerability in the wild:
  • “I was a little spooked for sure… anything could have happened to me.” — Jordan Walker (10:37)
• On the need for reform:
  • “Demand a centralized database of cold cases in this state. We must demand better for victims…” — Stephanie (18:26)
• On seeking justice from the dead:
  • “I’m going to see that accountability through.” — Stephanie (19:50)
• On hidden dangers in outdoor culture:
  • “We never, ever talk about being attacked by a human being.” — Steve Rinella (34:43)
• On the enigma of Paul’s double life:
  • “How could someone… find or retain joy… knowing what they had done…?” — Steve Rinella (40:21)

Important Timestamps

• 02:05–03:23: Brief recap of the case and Zach Hutchinson’s reaction
• 04:39: Christie Hutchinson’s public statement
• 06:41–07:59: Heath Smith details his hunting trip and initial impressions of Paul
• 09:24: BLM investigator raises concerns about female interns
• 10:14–10:57: Jordan Walker’s account of a troubling field experience
• 12:18–13:46: “Molly” confronts her own conflicting feelings about Paul as a mentor
• 18:26: Stephanie’s public crusade for legal reform begins
• 22:38–24:27: Forensic psychologist analysis on the likelihood of more crimes and Paul’s military background
• 27:35: Disturbing family allegations surface
• 30:09–31:53: Steve Rinella discusses the case’s profound impact on the Bozeman outdoor community and himself
• 32:41–35:58: Meticulous description of Gallatin River access and the potential for crime in plain sight
• 39:29–40:53: Ethical and emotional dilemmas for those reporting and listening

Tone & Final Reflection

The episode is dense with emotion—anger, sorrow, confusion, and a pervasive sense of betrayal—expressed in direct, unvarnished language from all speakers. There’s a dual sense of grief and grim acceptance: monsters can blend into any community, and justice, particularly in the wild, isn’t guaranteed.

Closing thought:

“We can't suspect everyone. We don't know of horrible crimes. But Paul's story is a reminder that you never really know what kind of monster might be lurking just below the surface.” (41:31)

Further Resources

• For images and case info, visit themeateater.com/bloodtrails
• To submit tips on this or other cases: bloodtrails@themeateater.com

For listeners:
This episode is as much about wrestling with uncertainty and the limits of justice as it is about solving a crime. It urges listeners—especially those who cherish time in wild places—to remain vigilant, but not fearful, and to advocate for the systems and reforms that help prevent future tragedies.