Park Predators: The Trappers
Host: Delia D’Ambra
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Introduction
In the chilling episode titled "The Trappers," investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D’Ambra delves into a haunting mystery from Oregon's Deschutes National Forest. This case, dating back to the winter of 1924, uncovers the sinister fate of three men whose disappearance remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
The Disappearance of the Trappers
The story begins in the cold winter of 1924 at Little and Big Lava Lakes in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest. Three men—Harry Leroy "Roy" Wilson, Ed Nichols, and Dewey Morris—vanished while monitoring a fur trapping outpost. Their disappearance sparked immediate concern, especially from their families.
Quote:
"If you think you know the story of the Little Lava Lake murders, buckle up, because you probably don't."
— Delia D’Ambra [12:45]
Initial Investigation by Family Members
By mid-April 1924, Roy's mother, Sarah Wilson, along with Dewey's brother Owen Morris and Roy's brother-in-law Hervey Ennis, grew increasingly worried as weeks passed without any sign of the men. Determined to uncover the truth, Owen and Hervey ventured to the remote cabin near Little Lava Lake.
Upon arrival, they found the cabin eerily preserved as if frozen in time. Utensils with rotting food, abandoned traps, and untouched fox pens raised immediate suspicions. Notably, the presence of bloodstains and spent shell casings suggested foul play.
Quote:
"It was almost like the cabin had been frozen in time for three months, which I imagine felt eerie to Hervey and Owen."
— Delia D’Ambra [16:20]
Deputy Sheriff Adams Takes Over
The mysterious findings prompted the sheriff of Deschutes County to launch an official investigation. Clarence Adams, a deputy sheriff with experience as a game warden, was appointed to lead the search. His familiarity with the terrain was invaluable as he and his team scoured the surrounding areas for clues.
Discovery of Clues: Fox Carcasses and Bloodstains
During the investigation, Adams and his team uncovered several disturbing signs:
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Scalped Fox Carcasses: Five skinned foxes were found discarded, their pelts inexplicably missing from both inside and outside the cabin. These pelts were later traced to the Schumacher Fur Company in Portland, linking them directly to the missing trappers.
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Bloodstains and Shell Casings: Bloodstains near the cabin and spent shells indicated a violent encounter. Initially believed to belong to animals, later analysis confirmed the blood was human, altering the trajectory of the investigation.
Quote:
"Deputy Sheriff Adams was built to spearhead a case like this."
— Delia D’Ambra [22:50]
The Imposter and Charles Kimsey
A breakthrough emerged when Deputy Adams learned of fox pelts being sold in Portland by individuals posing as the missing men. Further investigation revealed that these imposters were likely directly involved in the trappers' disappearance. Suspicion fell on Charles Kimsey, a known fugitive with a history of theft and violence.
Quote:
"It just seemed like too much of a coincidence that the three men had last been seen alive on January 15th and then someone pretending to be one of them showed up in Portland."
— Delia D’Ambra [35:10]
Capture and Aftermath
Charles Kimsey managed to evade capture for nearly a decade, committing additional crimes along the way. Finally apprehended in 1933 near Kalispell, Montana, Kimsey faced trial for his earlier offenses but was never formally charged for the Trapper murders due to the lack of direct evidence tying him to the 1924 crime.
During his trial for robbery and assault in 1930, it became clear that the Trapper murders remained unsolved. Kimsey's reputation and past actions suggested his involvement, but without concrete proof, justice remained elusive.
Quote:
"If he was the true perpetrator of the Lava Lakes murders, he never faced justice for those crimes."
— Delia D’Ambra [38:15]
Conclusion
The disappearance and subsequent murder of Roy Wilson, Ed Nichols, and Dewey Morris at Little and Big Lava Lakes remain one of Deschutes National Forest's most haunting unsolved cases. Despite extensive investigations and the eventual capture of a prime suspect, the full truth behind their tragic fate remains obscured by time and circumstance.
Final Reflection:
"Maybe this is a reminder that sometimes mothers know best, perhaps better than most."
— Delia D’Ambra [40:30]
Aftermath and Legacy
In honor of the fallen trappers, three buttes near Little Lava Lake were named the Three Trappers, ensuring their memory endures. The cabin where the murders occurred has long vanished, its exact location lost to nature and development. Yet, the legacy of the Trapper murders continues to intrigue and unsettle those who study the dark secrets hidden within the world's most beautiful parks.
Quote:
"This is park predators."
— Delia D’Ambra [41:10]
Sources:
Delia D’Ambra references Melanie Tupper's book, "The Trapper Murders," and reports from the Bend Bulletin and The Oregonian to provide an authoritative account of the events surrounding the Trapper murders.
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