Park Predators: The Afterlife (Part 2) – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 31, 2024
Host: Delia D’Ambra

Introduction and Recap

In the second installment of "The Afterlife," investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D’Ambra delves deeper into the chilling murder of Kathy Sposito in Prescott National Forest in June 1987. Delia emphasizes the importance of listening to Part 1 for a comprehensive understanding, stating, “If you haven't listened to part one, I recommend you press pause and jump back. Otherwise you'll be thoroughly confused” (01:35).

Kathy Sposito’s Murder Case

Timeline and Crime Details

• Date and Location: Kathy Sposito was brutally murdered on June 13, 1987, while hiking the Thumb Butte Trail in Prescott National Forest.
• Murder Details: She was beaten, stabbed with a sharp object, and shot in the left eye. Nearby hikers heard her scream but couldn’t reach her in time (02:00).
• Evidence Found: At the crime scene, authorities discovered two rocks with hair and blood, a .22 caliber cartridge case, and a blood trail extending about 130 feet from her body. Additionally, a metal ratchet wrench was found near the trailhead (02:10).

Case Progression

Despite diligent efforts, the investigation into Kathy's murder stalled, and the case went cold. Delia reveals a critical omission from Part 1: Kathy's case was not isolated. “Kathy's case wasn't the only vicious assault in the Prescott National Forest area in the late 1980s and early 1990s. There were others” (02:47).

Introduction of Victim Number Two

The 1990 Assault

• Date and Location: On April 22, 1990, a 33-year-old woman was assaulted on the same Thumb Butte Trail.
• Assault Details: The woman was pushed to the ground, assaulted with a jagged rock, and sexually violated by a young white male with blond hair and buck teeth. Despite her efforts, she only managed to reach the campground parking lot after five minutes to seek help (03:43 - 05:14).

Police Investigation

The victim provided a detailed description of her attacker, including his appearance and the abandoned cigarette pack with a partially remembered phone number. A sexual assault kit and her clothing were collected as evidence. However, initial attempts to identify the assailant through photos and yearbooks yielded no results, and the investigation ground to a halt by August 1990 (05:22 - 07:16).

Linking the Cases: Detective Dan Pritchard’s Investigation

Renewed Efforts

Around 2015-2016, Detective Dan Pritchard took over Kathy’s cold case and began exploring connections to other violent crimes in the area. His team identified Ed Gumm, a convicted felon with a history of sexual assaults in Prescott, as a potential suspect.

• Ed Gumm’s Background: Released from prison in 1986 for attempted sexual assault, Ed later assaulted a woman at gunpoint in 1991. He frequented the Thumb Butte area, making him a person of interest (08:03 - 09:38).

Polygraph and DNA Testing

Ed admitted to possessing firearms in 1987 but denied involvement in either Kathy’s murder or victim number two’s assault. However, he failed a polygraph test, confessing to other unrelated sexual assaults. DNA comparisons eventually cleared him as his DNA did not match the evidence (09:31 - 14:31).

Breakthrough Through Genetic Genealogy

Identifying Brian Scott Bennett

Using advanced genetic genealogical analysis, investigators tentatively identified Brian Scott Bennett as a close relative of the unknown assailant from victim number two’s DNA profile. Despite initial hurdles in obtaining Brian’s direct DNA, his brother’s daughter provided a sample that linked Brian to the assault (14:32 - 16:32).

Exhumation and Confirmation

With Sheriff David Rhodes’ approval, Brian’s body was exhumed in November 2022 to obtain a fresh DNA sample. By March 2023, direct comparison confirmed that Brian was responsible for victim number two’s assault and, crucially, his DNA also matched the evidence in Kathy Sposito’s murder (16:32 - 21:27).

Final Confirmation and Public Announcement

Press Conference and Public Impact

In August 2023, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference announcing Brian Scott Bennett as the likely killer of Kathy Sposito. Sheriff Rhodes described Brian as a "serial predator," emphasizing his ability to blend into the community while committing heinous crimes (21:32).

Renee Sandoval’s Testimony

Renee Sandoval, a survivor of a 1993 kidnapping and sexual assault by Brian, publicly identified him during the press conference. She shared her ordeal and expressed solidarity with other victims, saying, “I ask that everybody in the community pray. Pray for these victims” (22:45 - 26:28).

Case Closure and Reflections

Law Enforcement’s Perspective

Sheriff Rhodes highlighted that Brian acted alone in the four linked cases, with no evidence of accomplices. Despite his criminal actions across multiple states, Brian had avoided significant punishment, partly due to inconsistent eyewitness testimonies and lack of evidence in earlier cases.

Impact on Families and Community

Sal Sposito, Kathy’s brother, expressed profound relief and closure upon learning the identity of his sister’s murderer. “I thought I would just go on not knowing. And to get an answer like this was a big relief” (30:51).

Conclusion

Delia D’Ambra wraps up the episode by honoring the victims and acknowledging the relentless efforts of law enforcement. She poignantly imagines Kathy at peace, “hiking the amazing hilltops of the afterlife” (31:34). Delia emphasizes the importance of uncovering such dark truths hidden within nature’s beauty, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to shed light on concealed atrocities in national parks and forests.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Delia D’Ambra: “If you haven't listened to part one, I recommend you press pause and jump back. Otherwise you'll be thoroughly confused” (01:35).

• Victim Number Two: “I ask that everybody in the community pray. Pray for these victims” (26:28).

• Sal Sposito: “I thought I would just go on not knowing. And to get an answer like this was a big relief” (31:32).

Key Takeaways

• Advancements in Forensics: The case underscores the pivotal role of genetic genealogy and DNA advancements in solving cold cases that remained unresolved for decades.

• Resilience of Victims and Families: The emotional toll on survivors and families is profound, yet their pursuit of justice remains unwavering.

• Nature of Serial Predators: Brian Scott Bennett exemplifies how serial predators can evade detection by blending into communities and exploiting remote areas like national forests.

Final Thoughts

"The Afterlife (Part 2)" masterfully intertwines forensic science, investigative persistence, and the human aspect of crime, providing listeners with a comprehensive narrative that not only solves a decades-old mystery but also honors the victims and their families.

For more episodes and information, visit parkpredators.com and follow Park Predators on Instagram at @arcpredators.