Park Predators: Episode Summary – "The Cook"

Host: Delia Diambra
Episode Title: The Cook
Podcast Description: Explore the dark side of the world’s most beautiful places with investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D’Ambra. Each week, Delia guides you deep into national parks and forests across the globe, uncovering stories where nature’s breathtaking beauty has masked sinister secrets. From infamous cases that made headlines to little-known crimes that still need answers, Delia’s relentless pursuit of the truth takes her through archives and remote landscapes to reveal the hidden darkness haunting these natural wonders. Because sometimes, the most beautiful places hide the darkest secrets. This is Park Predators.

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Cook," Delia Diambra delves into the mysterious disappearance of Connie Saylor Johnson, a seasoned cook at a remote hunting camp in northern Idaho, and Terrence Woods Jr., a documentary filmmaker. Both vanished under troubling circumstances in October 2018, raising unsettling questions about the safety of these stunning yet unforgiving wilderness areas.

Background: The Selway Bitterroot Wilderness

The Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, located near Big Fog Mountain in northern Idaho adjacent to Montana's border, is renowned for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain. Access to the Fog Mountain trailhead is limited to horseback, foot, or four-wheel-drive vehicles, with only three trails leading to deep wilderness campsites. These areas attract hunters seeking guided expeditions for elk, deer, bears, mountain lions, and wolves, often facilitated by outfitters like Richie Outfitters.

Disappearance of Connie Saylor Johnson

Date: October 5, 2018

Connie Saylor Johnson, a 76-year-old experienced hiker and survivalist, worked as the cook for Richie Outfitters. On the evening of October 5, 2018, a group of hunters returned to their remote camp near the Selway River and discovered Connie missing. Notably, her border collie, Ace, was also nowhere to be found.

Key Observations:

• Unusual Absence: "[...] Connie Saylor Johnson, 76 years old, wasn't inside the trailer with her dog Ace," Delia notes at [01:08].
• Clues Left Behind: The discovery of Connie's coat and handgun suggested she didn't intend to be gone long, as she hadn't taken these personal items with her.
• No Tracks: "There were no shoe prints or paw prints on the ground leading away from the base camp," (Delia, [02:15]).

Search Efforts:

• Initial Search: Hunting group reported Connie missing at 9:18 PM ([05:42]).
• Law Enforcement Response: Idaho County Sheriff's Office faced logistical challenges due to the camp's remote location, covering over 8,000 square miles ([05:45]).
• Assistance: US Air Force, US Forest Service, and rescue helicopters were mobilized ([06:10]).
• Social Media Updates: Richie Outfitters frequently updated their Facebook page, expressing concern and seeking public assistance ([09:05]).

Disappearance of Terrence Woods Jr.

Date: October 5, 2018

Simultaneously, Terrence Woods Jr., a 27-year-old documentary filmmaker, disappeared while filming a gold mining TV show near Penman Mine in Idaho, over 50 miles southwest of Connie's location.

Circumstances:

• Final Contact: Terrence was last seen around 5:30 PM on October 5 when he abruptly left his film crew, citing a need to use the restroom and removing his radio set ([07:55]).
• Behavior: Described as unusual by his colleagues, his sudden departure was unexpected ([08:12]).
• Search Challenges: The area near Penman Mine was less remote, yet no trace of Terrence was found despite extensive searches ([09:50]).

Family's Concerns:

• Racial Implications: Terrence's parents, Valerie and Terrence Sr., suspected that his treatment as the only Black member of the crew contributed to his disappearance ([14:30]).
• Lack of Closure: Despite hiring private investigators, the Woods family remains without answers, leading to deep emotional distress ([16:58]).

Concurrent Search Efforts

Search for Connie:

• Continued Efforts: Despite adverse weather conditions, search teams persisted in locating Connie and Ace up until October 16 ([20:44]).
• Suspension of Search: On October 16, the sheriff declared the search for Connie suspended due to the absence of evidence in the wilderness ([21:30]).

Search for Terrence:

• Active Searches: Intensive efforts from October 5 to October 10 yielded no results, leading to the suspension of active searches ([10:22]).
• Family Advocacy: The Woods family continued to push for more thorough investigations, highlighting potential negligence influenced by racial bias ([17:00]).

Critical Turn: Ace, the Border Collie

Date: October 24, 2018

Nearly three weeks after Connie's disappearance, Ace was found alone at an airstrip near the Moose Creek Ranger Station, approximately 15 miles from the original camp.

Implications:

• Potential Lead: Authorities hoped Ace could guide them to Connie's whereabouts, but the dog did not lead to any new information ([24:23]).
• Family Reactions: Connie's daughters expressed mixed emotions, relieved Ace was found but disheartened by his inability to locate their mother ([25:15]).

Theories and Investigative Insights

Connie's Capabilities:

• Survival Skills: Connie's extensive wilderness training and survival experience made her disappearance highly unusual ([24:38]).
• Possible Scenarios: The sheriff posits that Connie might have been on an extended hike beyond the searched area, but this lacks supporting evidence ([26:45]).

Terrence's Disappearance:

• Suspicion of Foul Play: Despite no direct evidence, Terrence's family suspects bullying or isolation on the crew contributed to his disappearance ([17:00]).
• Lack of Support: RAW TV, the production company, ceased communication and declined funding for private investigations, leaving the family without additional resources ([19:00]).

Conclusion and Legacy

Closure:

• Connie's Case: Declared dead after nine months, Connie's disappearance remains unresolved, with lingering questions about the exact circumstances ([30:10]).
• Educational Fund: The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation established a fund in Connie's honor to support wilderness education, reflecting her lifelong dedication to the outdoors ([30:10]).

Ongoing Investigations:

• Both Connie Saylor Johnson and Terrence Woods Jr.'s cases remain open and active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward ([31:08]).

Final Reflections: Delia emphasizes the profound connection Connie had with nature and the enduring mystery surrounding her disappearance. She invites listeners to advocate for nature and support the unresolved cases, ensuring that Connie and Terrence's stories continue to seek justice and understanding.

Notable Quotes:

• Connie’s Resilience:
  "This is a woman who spent literally the last 25 years of her life, most of them on foot in the wilderness alone doing her wilderness ranger work. And if there's anybody that has a skill set that positions them to beat this, it's Connie."
  — Chris Adkins, colleague ([18:10]).

• Terrence's Father's Grief:
  "With death, you have two closure and healing. I have nothing."
  — Terrence Woods Sr. ([20:41]).

• Sheriff's Reflection:
  "The further we get away from this, the larger the county becomes."
  — Idaho County Sheriff ([24:22]).

Supporting Information

• Celebration of Life: In July 2019, Connie's friends and family held a service in her memory, solidifying her absence and honoring her legacy.
• Educational Initiatives: Connie's passion for the wilderness continues through the educational fund, fostering future generations' connection to nature.

Call to Action

Both cases encourage listeners to remain vigilant and supportive, offering any information that may aid in resolving these enduring mysteries. The podcast underscores the importance of understanding the hidden dangers within nature’s most serene landscapes and the human stories intertwined within them.

End of Summary