Buried Bones: "Out Cold PT 2"

Hosts: Kate Winkler Dawson (journalist) & Paul Holes (retired cold case investigator)
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Episode Focus: The Dyatlov Pass Incident – The mysterious 1959 deaths of nine Russian hikers in Siberia

Overview

In part two of the Buried Bones exploration of the infamous Dyatlov Pass Incident, Kate and Paul meticulously dissect the discoveries, autopsies, and prevailing theories surrounding the deaths of nine Russian students whose fate in the Ural Mountains has spawned decades of speculation. With new evidence, forensic interpretations, and modern investigative logic, they debate explanations ranging from Soviet military involvement to natural disasters—highlighting the limits of what can ever be known. The episode maintains a respectful, inquisitive tone, driven by Kate’s diligent research and Paul’s detective pragmatism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Part One and Case Summary

(03:39–04:48)

• Kate reviews the case: A group of Russian students is found dead after establishing a base camp on a Siberian mountain. Four victims had non-fatal injuries and died from exposure.
• Paul summarizes: Two found by a campfire, two farther from camp, all with injuries but ultimately killed by the harsh environment rather than wounds.

2. The Search Continues: Discovery of More Victims

(06:57–11:21)

• The body of Rustem (Rhus teak) is found, displaying severe bruising and signs of exposure but no fatal injuries.
  • "His watch is 8:45." – Kate (09:00)
• Paul interprets postmortem signs (clenched hands, frostbite, ice under body) as evidence of the victim’s struggle to survive.
  • "He’s falling, his body's still warm, it's melting the snow...then his body goes cold and...that melted snow just turns to ice." – Paul (08:12)

3. The Manzi Indigenous Theory & Prejudice

(11:21–15:38)

• Locals suspect the local Manzi people, fueled by prejudice and myth about sacred lands or ritual murder. Both hosts dismiss this as unfounded.
  • "This doesn’t sound anything like the Manzi...That’s laughable as far as I’m concerned." – Paul (12:18)

4. Reports of Mysterious Lights & Possible Military Involvement

(14:32–17:12)

• Multiple witnesses (including Manzi) saw inexplicable lights—described as large fireballs or rings with tails—which leads to speculation about military weapons or secret experiments.
  • "Could that be a reason why...the Soviets were playing with [secret technology]...?" – Paul (15:38)
• Paul references modern terminology: "UAPs" (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). He muses on overlap between conspiracy and plausible military activity.

5. Discovery of the Remaining Four Hikers

(19:56–26:36)

• In May, a Mansi shaman finds a den containing clothing scraps and a trail to the remaining four bodies—buried 8–10 feet under snow in a creek bed.
  • "They find clothing...scraps...and the right leg of black cotton sweatpants..." – Kate (19:56)
• The hosts analyze the constructed snow den, hypothesizing on survival strategies versus forced movement.

6. Autopsy Results: Unexplained & Violent Injuries

(26:36–41:17)

• Detailed descriptions of the final victims' clothing, positions, decomposition, and severe blunt force injuries:
  • Luda: Crushed chest, missing soft tissue, massive internal injury.
  • Kolya: Multiple skull fractures.
  • Sasha Z: Crushed ribs, scapula; internal hemorrhaging.
  • Sasha K: Less physical trauma, died from exposure.
  • "Her chest is crushed...like something you’d see in a high speed car accident." – Kate (41:17)
  • "Those injuries would suggest...she's being stomped. She's being kicked." – Paul (42:04)

7. Clothing Swaps & Time of Death

(29:59–32:30)

• Observations of clothing exchanged among victims, with watches stopping at different times. Theories about order/sequencing of death remain inconclusive.
  • Paul questions the forensic value of watch times, noting they're likely just when wound watches ran down.

8. Radiation Found on Victims’ Clothing

(48:32–51:24)

• Forensic analysis detects unusually high levels of radiation on a few garments—so persistent the testing was "bizarre" to Paul.
  • "I've never had a case...where the pathologist was going, well, we better check for radioactive material." – Paul (49:38)
  • Speculation that these hikers stumbled into a zone of military testing or radioactive secret experiments.

9. Prevailing Theories & Official Closure

(51:27–63:53)

• Theories discussed include avalanche, military intervention, missile tests, the Manzi, KGB, CIA, even Yeti and alien abduction.
• Families (and Paul) lean toward accidental or intentional exposure to secret Soviet military operations. Other points:

  • Soviet documents and journals were classified for decades.

  • Metallic missile fragments were later found at the site.

  • "My sense is...probably more than one offender...This just doesn't pass muster." – Paul (60:57)

  • "I think I agree with the families. This is what it seems like from my perspective." – Paul (55:26)

10. The Avalanche (Slab Avalanche) Theory

(57:49–62:52)

• The recent official Russian explanation is a "slab avalanche," where a layer of snow slides and forces the hikers’ flight.
• Kate and Paul are skeptical, citing absent physical signs of an avalanche; familial and indigenous witnesses confirm such events are unheard of in the region.
  • "Technically, yes, it could have happened. Did it happen? There’s no proof." – Kate (59:19)
  • "I’m skeptical about the avalanche theory... I want to see more. It just seems..." – Paul (62:52)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the mystery's frustration:

  • "This is your baffling. This is the most baffling case I think we've had ever." – Kate (46:18)
  • "I'm not sure how much flexing I did on this one. The Russians did it." – Paul, on his detective ‘muscle’ (65:36)

• On the role of Soviet secrecy:

  • "I have to go back to the government classifying this case ... suggesting something more nefarious than a natural accident." – Paul (62:52)

• On the nature of the investigation:

  • "I'd have to roll up my sleeves and really dig into it before I maybe got confidence about one theory over another." – Paul (63:53)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 03:39–04:48 – Recap & setup of case details
• 06:57–11:21 – Discovery of the fifth hiker and his condition
• 11:21–15:38 – Discussion on prejudice, Manzi theory, and wild early theories
• 19:56–26:36 – May snowmelt, discovery of the den and last four bodies
• 26:36–41:17 – Autopsies: specifics of injuries and survivor strategies
• 48:32–51:24 – Revelation of radiation on clothes
• 51:27–63:53 – Theorizing: military, missile, and avalanche hypotheses
• 57:49–62:52 – Avalanche theory, government response, family and expert skepticism
• 63:53–66:16 – Hosts reflect on open-ended mystery

Conclusion: The Unending Enigma

Kate and Paul leave the episode unresolved, echoing the ongoing mystery that wraps the Dyatlov Pass incident. Paul inclines toward an explanation involving Soviet activity, while acknowledging the incomplete, frustrating nature of the evidence. The episode stands as a testament to the enduring pull of historical mysteries—and the limits of even the sharpest modern investigative minds.

"With some simple explanations to fill in the blank, we might both go, oh, okay. This thing might make sense here, but with missing pieces of information, it makes it so much more difficult." – Kate (63:53)

Additional Notes

• Visuals: Listeners are encouraged to reference supporting images, diagrams, and evidence on Instagram @buriedbonespod.
• Next Week: Kate promises a less perplexing, more straightforward case, to Paul’s relief.

For more: Visit Buried Bones podcast for sources, show notes, and further reading.