Park Predators: "The Seashore"

Host: Delia D’Ambra
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Setting: Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of Park Predators, Delia D’Ambra investigates the tragic murders of James and Michelle Butler, a couple who set out to enjoy the RV life along Texas’s stunning Padre Island National Seashore. What begins as a story of seaside adventure turns dark when the Butlers go missing, and their search unravels a chilling tale of crime, evasion, and heartbreak. With determined police work, a dedicated family, and a complex suspect manhunt, Delia explores the crime that shattered a family and shook a community.
Theme: Even in places of beauty, darkness may hide beneath the surface.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Butlers’ Disappearance

• Background:
  • James (48) and Michelle Butler (45), originally from New Hampshire, are living their dream RV life, traveling and working seasonal jobs across the U.S.
  • In September 2019, they make their way to Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, planning to camp on the beach and eventually work a Christmas tree farm in Florida.
• Last Contact:
  • On October 15, 2019, they mail boots to their granddaughter and post about their beach setup on social media.
  • Their daughter-in-law, Caitlin, first notices something is off when FaceTime calls fail and messages go unanswered (07:00–10:30).
• Missing Persons Report:
  • By October 23, with another missed check-in, the family reports James and Michelle missing to the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office.

The Investigation Begins

• Search Efforts:
  • Authorities review lodging records, confirming the Butlers transitioned from a park in Corpus Christi to beach camping on October 14.
  • Social media analysis helps locate their probable camping spot at beach marker 262 in an area called “the Bowl” (13:00–16:00).
  • “The Bowl” is noted as a secluded and peaceful area, but the Butlers’ vehicles are gone when deputies search.
• Raising Alarm:
  • Friends launch a Facebook page, “Finding James and Michelle Butler,” to raise awareness.
  • False sightings are chased down, but all leads dry up.

Break in the Case

• Sightings in Mexico:
  • On October 25, Border Patrol notifies police that the Butlers’ pickup truck and RV were seen entering Mexico on October 21 (43:00).
  • Surveillance images show two new occupants—a white man with facial tattoos and a white woman, neither being the Butlers.
• Cell Phone Data:
  • Both Butlers’ devices go offline at their Padre Island campsite on October 16–17, casting doubt that they left willingly.
• Discovery of Bodies:
  • On October 27, investigators searching the dunes find evidence of a shallow grave beneath debris and a “distinct bad smell” (47:00).
  • Forensic teams unearth James and Michelle’s remains, both shot in the head, with the woman’s body found atop the man’s. The site is declared a homicide scene.

Identifying the Suspects

• Unfamiliar Faces:

  • Surveillance released to the public leads a park ranger to recall recently stopping a man matching the driver’s description—later identified as Adam Curtis Williams, using the alias “Torrey Williams” (01:02:00).
  • His female companion is identified as Amanda Novaire (01:08:00), who had a troubled relationship with Williams marked by substance abuse and volatility.

• Williams’ Background:

  • Adam Williams, a fugitive from Utah, has a violent criminal history, including theft, firearms offenses, sexual assault, and alleged Aryan Brotherhood gang ties.

Manhunt and Arrest

• International Pursuit:
  • With press coverage in the U.S. and Mexico, tips pour in about the fugitives’ whereabouts.
  • Amanda’s friend receives a call from her in Mexico expressing fear and desire to surrender (01:21:00).
  • Authorities, aided by tips about a sale attempt of the stolen RV, raid an RV park in Jalisco, Mexico, and find Adam and Amanda, as well as Amanda’s daughter (01:27:00).
  • At the time of arrest, Adam had attempted to change his appearance but couldn’t disguise his distinct tattoos.

Confessions & Evidence

• Amanda’s Cooperation:
  • Amanda gives a lengthy account to police, detailing their escape, the illicit gun purchase, and the events of the night of the murders (01:29:00).
  • She claims Adam shot James and Michelle to steal their truck and RV; she watched from a distance and did not intervene or report him.
  • The murder weapon, a 9mm handgun, and other forensic evidence (including Michelle’s blood and a bullet above the RV sink) are recovered from the stolen RV.

Legal Proceedings

• Building the Case:
  • Initial charges focus on theft and weapons offenses, but further forensic work leads to a grand jury indictment for capital murder in October 2020.
  • Adam Williams:
    • Accepts a plea deal in November 2021 to avoid the death penalty, receiving life without parole for capital murder.
  • Amanda Novaire:
    • Pleads guilty, receives 20 years’ imprisonment for murder, plus concurrent sentences for other felonies. Eligible for parole in 2039.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Beauty—and Danger—of the National Seashore

Delia D’Ambra:

"But little did they know, a violent human predator and his companion were lurking in the same patch of paradise." (08:30)

The Butler Family’s Dream

James Butler, social media post (read by Delia):

“Setting up on the beach, have lots to do...but it would never get done if my beautiful wife didn’t do perimeter security for me. She says, ‘I will take the first shift covering the east. Oh, I love you, Michelle Butler.’” (14:35)

Discovery of the Crime

Lt. David Farias, upon locating the gravesite:

“There was a very distinct bad smell lingering in the air...I didn’t have a good feeling about the situation.” (47:50)

The Family’s Loss

Deborah, James’s sister, statement at sentencing (read by Delia):

“Our brother spent 21 years in the Navy serving our country and traveling the world during his many tours...After he retired, his biggest dream was to...live the American dream. He...never should have been in danger. Our lives have a huge hole where they belong.” (01:51:00)

Adam Williams’s Arrogance

Adam Williams, to the sheriff:

"You guys are good. I was going to go down to South America and you guys would have never found me there." (01:34:30)

On Amanda’s Culpability

Delia D’Ambra:

“As horrible and possibly true as those claims are, though, there’s still no excuse for failing to report what Amanda claimed her husband had done, and she’ll have to live with that for the rest of her life.” (01:56:50)

Important Timestamps

• 07:00–10:30: First missed FaceTime call & growing concern
• 13:00–16:00: Details of the couple’s last days and social media posts
• 43:00: Vehicles spotted crossing border into Mexico
• 47:00–48:00: Discovery of the shallow grave on the seashore
• 56:00–01:02:00: Surveillance images and identification of suspects
• 01:08:00: Amanda Novaire’s background and troubled history
• 01:21:00–01:27:00: Amanda’s friend tips off authorities, fugitive couple arrested in Mexico
• 01:29:00–01:35:00: Amanda details events and her role in the murders, discovery of evidence
• 01:51:00: Deborah’s emotional statement at sentencing
• 01:56:50: Reflections on Amanda’s role and the emotional toll

Episode Conclusion

Delia closes with a reflection on the vulnerability we all face—even in places that promise peace and beauty—and the lasting pain inflicted on the victims’ families. She directs listeners to a Facebook memorial for the Butlers and offers resources for further reading. The episode stands as a powerful reminder of the hidden dangers that can exist in even the most idyllic settings and the importance of pursuing justice with diligence and heart.

To learn more or pay your respects, visit the “Remembering James and Michelle Butler” page linked in the show notes.