Park Predators – "The Manhunt"

Host: Delia D’Ambra
Release Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of Park Predators, host Delia D’Ambra delves into a harrowing true crime case from Burke County, North Carolina, near Pisgah National Forest. The episode tracks the violent rampage of Troy Wisnet in March 2014, a series of murders that culminated in a dramatic manhunt and the tragic loss of Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp and his K9 partner, Maros. Delia not only reconstructs the chilling events but also explores the failures in the justice system that enabled this tragedy, the heartbreak of those left behind, and the resilience of a close-knit Appalachian community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Burke County's Dual Nature (00:00–02:35)

• Burke County is known as "nature's playground" filled with small-town charm and scenic beauty, yet in 2014, it became the scene of unspeakable violence.
• Delia introduces the central figures and notes the lack of extensive media coverage, necessitating firsthand interviews and primary research.

2. Discovery of the Murders (02:36–07:40)

• The investigation begins when Rhonda Wisnet’s co-worker requests a welfare check after she misses work and cannot be reached.
• The responding deputy, en route to the Wisnet residence on Fish Hatchery Road, passes by known troublemaker Troy Wisnet, Rhonda’s stepson.
• Upon arrival, the deputy finds traces of blood and forcibly enters the home, discovering Levi and Rhonda both dead from gunshot wounds in the basement.
• The crime scene hints at chaos and theft: rifles, spent cartridges, ransacked rooms, and a neighbor’s home burglarized for firearms.

3. Troy Wisnet's Rampage and Manhunt (07:41–12:19)

• Troy is immediately suspect due to his criminal history (assault, drugs, manslaughter, etc.) and being seen near the scene.
• He steals and crashes vehicles while evading police, eventually hiding in a wooded outbuilding.
• Up to 150 law enforcement officers join the manhunt, employing tracking dogs, including experienced K9 Moros and his handler, Officer Jason Crisp.

Memorable moment (10:55):
"Shortly after 2:50pm, with Moros leading the way at a brisk pace, Jason followed his dog further into the woods...in the blink of an eye, Jason and Moros dipped out of sight...and just a few seconds later, a shotgun blast rang out." — Delia D’Ambra

4. Ambush and Loss of Officer Crisp and Moros (12:20–13:47)

• Troy ambushes Jason and Moros, shooting and killing both at close range. He then steals Jason’s firearm and magazine.
• The high-risk search conditions, including poor radio communication and heavy helicopter noise, complicate the hunt.

Notable quote (13:48):
"His daddy and stepmom are two of the greatest people in the world. They didn't deserve this." — Wisnet neighbor to The News Herald

5. The Aftermath: Troy's Death and the Community's Grief (13:48–19:01)

• Officers locate and confront Troy hiding by a tree; after failing to comply, he is shot and fatally wounds himself with Jason’s stolen gun.
• Delia recounts the immense ripple effect felt throughout the community, capturing individual grief and loss through interviews with the Crisp and Wisnet families.

Jason Crisp’s family statement (18:53):
"He was his wife's best friend and the love of her life...He died a hero, however, he was a hero well before. Moros was also our family member and he was loved like a child."

6. The Justice System's Failure: The 1996 Killing (19:02–26:24)

• Delia reveals that Troy’s first killing was in 1996, when he murdered his friend Shane Newton, but received only 11 months in prison after a plea deal to manslaughter.
• The Newton family, especially Shane’s mother Shirley, had petitioned extensively against the plea, foreseeing further tragedy.

Shirley’s quote (21:55, on her son Shane):
"If you just knew Shane, he was so wonderful. Everybody claimed him. He made friends with everybody. He never turned up his nose to nobody."

Newton family's 1997 letter to the newspaper (24:36):
"Who can say that Wisnett won't go out and take another innocent life?...We must try to prevent this from happening."

Shane’s father’s statement after the plea (26:22):
"For Shane, it seems the system is more for the defendant than the victim and the family."

7. Troy's Troubled Life and Mental Health (26:25–29:21)

• Troy had a history of substance use since age 12 and multiple convictions, yet never received sustained intervention.

• Leading up to the 2014 murders, Troy posted on social media about his struggles:

  “Why is it that you take everything that you love for granted? I have nothing left and am not in a good place. Please keep me in your prayers.” (29:20)

8. Reflections, Regrets, and Legacy (29:22–End)

• Family members and law enforcement express regret and frustration with the system’s leniency, which they believe enabled Troy’s continued violence.

Shirley Newton (31:04):
"If they'd done something to him, given him a longer sentence, maybe these families wouldn't have to feel what I feel...I believe that if they had given Troy some help after he killed Shane, this might not have happened."

• The community rallies to support Jason's family; the Forest Service station is renamed in his honor.
• Jason’s son, Garrett, reflects on the pain of loss and the long path to forgiveness, paying tribute to his father's love of nature and lasting influence.

Garrett Crisp (paraphrased, 32:00+):
"When I'm out in the woods or doing something outdoors, that's when I think of my dad the most. His love of nature became mine—and I never knew how important he was to the community until he was gone."

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Content | |-----------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10:55 | Delia D’Ambra | “Shortly after 2:50pm...in the blink of an eye, Jason and Moros dipped out of sight...shot rang out.” | | 13:48 | Neighbor | “His daddy and stepmom are two of the greatest people in the world. They didn't deserve this.” | | 18:53 | Crisp Family Statement| “He died a hero, however, he was a hero well before. Moros was also our family member...” | | 21:55 | Shirley Newton | “If you just knew Shane, he was so wonderful. Everybody claimed him. He made friends with everybody.” | | 24:36 | Newton Family Letter | “Who can say that Wisnett won't go out and take another innocent life?...We must try to prevent this from happening.” | | 26:22 | Shane’s Father | “For Shane, it seems the system is more for the defendant than the victim and the family.” | | 29:20 | Troy Wisnet (online) | “Why is it that you take everything that you love for granted? I have nothing left and am not in a good place. Please keep me in your prayers.” | | 31:04 | Shirley Newton | “They just slap him on the hand. If they would have given him more time...none of this would have happened.” | | 32:00+ | Garrett Crisp | (Paraphrased) “When I'm out in the woods... that’s when I think of my dad the most...His love of nature became mine...” |

Conclusion

Delia D’Ambra's investigative storytelling in "The Manhunt" provides not only a detailed breakdown of a tragic criminal saga but also a poignant critique of systemic failures—through the words and losses of the families. The episode is a reminder of both the darkness sometimes hidden within beautiful places and the lasting impact of choices made—in and out of the justice system.

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