Park Predators: "The Musician"

Host: Delia D’Ambra
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In “The Musician,” Delia D’Ambra dives into the tragic murders of Scott Sessions, a beloved Colorado musician, and Heather Frank, a local waitress, whose deaths unraveled a dark tale of jealousy, domestic violence, and investigative persistence. Centered around the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the episode narrates the discovery of Scott’s mutilated and burned body and the ensuing investigation that linked his death to Heather Frank and her abusive ex-boyfriend Kevin Eastman, culminating in justice years later.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Natural Beauty and Hidden Danger

• Delia contextualizes the episode by discussing controlled burns in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and how these managed dangers parallel law enforcement’s careful investigation.
• Quote:

  “There’s strategy, precaution, planning, and inherently, danger. And the same could be said about law enforcement’s investigation into the crimes I’m going to lay out in this episode.” (05:43)

2. Discovery of Scott Sessions’ Disappearance and Body

• Feb 11, 2020: Friends and family of Scott Sessions notice his absence. Concern builds when Scott misses a concert and a visit to his ailing mother.
• Early clues: A neglected pet cat and an undisturbed, snow-covered driveway.
• Notable moment: Stan (Scott’s father) and George (his bandmate) become alarmed by Scott’s uncharacteristic absence.
• Quote:

  “The only thing that would prevent him from showing off his talents on stage was if he'd suddenly fallen ill or was no longer alive, period.” – George Gray (09:30)

• Feb 10, 2020: Scott’s burned and bound body found by a snowplow driver at Jack’s Gulch campground.
• Identification through fingerprints (21:50).

3. Early Investigation

• Scene details: Body wrapped in plastic, blue blanket, duct tape, evidence of throat-cutting before burning.
• Crime suggested a personal, rage-filled attack. No signs of struggle at Scott’s home.
• Cell phone and car missing; trumpet later found at home (27:30).
• Investigators theorize theft but quickly dismiss it.

4. Tracing Scott’s Last Hours and Social Circle

• Digital forensics: Scott last spoke to his dad on Feb 8, mentioning a date.
• Cell phone ping data places Scott at Heather Frank’s apartment, not Fort Collins (32:45).
• Car found abandoned at King Soopers supermarket; floor mat revealed small amount of Scott’s blood (36:00).
• Surveillance footage shows unknown male abandoning car (37:20).

5. Heather Frank and Kevin Eastman Enter the Picture

• Investigation pivots to Facebook messages: Scott had planned to meet Heather Frank.
• Heather’s apartment’s proximity to where Scott’s car was found increases suspicion (42:10).
• Surveillance installed; Kevin Eastman’s Subaru observed with distinctive red mud.
• Cell records trace three phones—Scott’s, Heather’s, Kevin’s—at Heather’s apartment the night Scott vanished.

6. Surveillance, Breakthroughs, and the Double Crime

• Surveillance captures Kevin’s car entering and leaving the area near the dump site at crucial times (55:00).
• Feb 16, as authorities prepare to arrest Kevin and Heather, both vanish from Heather’s apartment (1:01:00).

7. The Second Body and the Farm

• Tracking device on Kevin’s car leads investigators to Troy Bonnell’s rural farm.
• Detective witnesses Kevin tending a burn pit, then leaves to fill gas cans (1:07:00).
• Kevin arrested at gas station—knife, ammo, cash found (1:10:20).
• Quote:

  “His new version of the story [was] that she told him that Scott had sexually assaulted her, and so she lured him to her place to seek revenge. But detectives were extremely suspicious...” (1:15:00)

• Heather Frank later found deceased, bound, and shot in burn pile debris at the farm (1:19:00).

8. The Full Story and Motives

• Kevin initially denies, then shifts responsibility to Heather.
• Forensic evidence and cell data tie Kevin to both murders—Scott and Heather.
• CSI discovers significant Scott’s blood residue and evidence of clean-up in Heather’s apartment (1:18:00).
• Prosecutors argue Kevin killed Heather to eliminate the only witness to Scott’s murder.
• Testimony and digital evidence counter defense arguments blaming Heather or Troy.

9. Courtroom and Sentencing

• Summer 2022: Jury finds Kevin Eastman guilty on two counts of first-degree murder; sentenced to two life sentences with no parole (1:28:00).
• Quote:

  “At its very core, this case is about domestic violence. He didn’t want to lose Heather Frank, and because of that, two people lost their lives.” – Lead prosecutor (1:25:50)

• Moving victim impact statements from Heather’s son Alex and Scott’s father Stan emphasize loss, forgiveness, and condemnation of victim-blaming tactics.

10. Systemic Failures and Epilogue

• Post-trial reporting uncovers law enforcement failures to respond adequately to Heather’s prior domestic violence reports against Kevin.

• Quote:

  “She stated on the body cam footage that Kevin always got away with hurting her and that the incident in their hotel room wasn’t the first time she’d been victimized by him.” (1:35:40)

• Personal tributes:

  • Heather remembered as a loving, crafty mother.
  • Scott’s relationship with his adoptive and biological families highlighted.
  • His trumpet gifted to his half-sister, Allison. (1:40:10)

• Delia encourages listeners to honor Scott through music, directing them to videos of his performances.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Whoever had done this to Scott had most likely been in a rage and intended to take his life.” (20:20)
• “My mom was more than just my mom. She was my best friend… Kevin, I have not forgiven you yet. I no longer have hate for you, just disappointment…” – Alex Frank, Heather’s son (1:28:30)
• “Scotty wasn’t perfect. None of us are. But he loved his family… I have no quarrel with you. I hope and pray that you... will find a way to become a better person.” – Stan Sessions, Scott’s father (1:31:20)
• “If you’re someone who believes you may be experiencing domestic violence, please know that you’re not alone and there are organizations out there that can help.” – Delia D’Ambra (1:37:25)
• “We found a way to calm each other down when it seemed like the rest of the world didn’t understand.” – Allison, Scott’s half-sister (1:41:00)

Important Timestamps

• 05:43 – Controlled burns analogy, episode theme
• 09:30 – Scott’s absence noted, friends and family alarmed
• 21:50 – Scott Sessions’ body identified
• 27:30 – Details of evidence found at Scott’s home
• 32:45 – Cell phone data points to Heather Frank’s apartment
• 36:00 – Scott’s car found and forensic clues discovered
• 42:10 – Connection to Heather Frank and Kevin Eastman
• 55:00 – Kevin’s car observed near dump site
• 1:01:00 – Kevin and Heather disappear as police close in
• 1:07:00 – Burn pit at Troy’s farm; Kevin apprehended
• 1:18:00 – Forensic evidence in Heather’s apartment
• 1:19:00 – Heather Frank’s body discovered
• 1:25:50 – Prosecutor’s summary; motive established
• 1:28:00 – Eastman found guilty and sentenced
• 1:31:20 – Stan Sessions’ victim impact statement
• 1:40:10 – Allison given Scott’s trumpet

Tone and Approach

Delia D’Ambra employs an empathetic, thorough, and investigative narrative style. The tone is somber and respectful, punctuated by calls for awareness regarding domestic violence and the importance of remembrance for the victims.

Takeaways

• This case underscores the deadly consequences of unchecked domestic violence and how systemic failures can compound tragedy.
• Persistence, attention to detail, and the willingness of friends and family to act on concerns played vital roles in uncovering the truth.
• The episode honors the lives of Scott Sessions and Heather Frank while advocating for vigilance against intimate partner violence.

Listen to “The Musician” on the Park Predators feed for the full story, including interviews, case details, and Delia’s call to honor Scott’s musicianship.