Park Predators: Episode Summary - "The Witnesses"
Release Date: April 1, 2025
In the gripping episode titled "The Witnesses," investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D’Ambra delves into a complex and haunting series of events that unfolded in Angelina National Forest, East Texas. This episode unravels a tangled web involving missing persons, a disgraced police officer, and unresolved mysteries that continue to haunt the region.
Introduction to Angelina National Forest
Delia sets the stage by describing Angelina National Forest, a sprawling 153,000-acre expanse known for its serene landscapes and rich history. Established in the early 1960s alongside the Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the forest has been a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, and hikers alike.
Delia D'Ambra [00:00]: "Angelina's boundary and left two particularly disturbing things bodies... [they] had a lot more in common than what met the eye."
The Disappearances: Shantae Coleman and Terri Reyes
Shantae Coleman's Vanishing
On July 2, 2006, Shantae Coleman, a 25-year-old mother of two, was last heard from during a phone call with her grandmother, Margaret Anderson. Shantae expressed her desire to visit her deceased mother's grave, marking a poignant moment as it was her mother's birthday.
Delia [00:00]: "She wanted to go visit her mom's grave to leave some flowers and asked if Margaret would join her."
Despite maintaining communication with her family, Shantae failed to contact her grandmother on her birthday, August 4, 2006. Concern grew when she didn't pick up a birthday gift or respond to calls, leading Margaret to report her missing on August 7, 2006.
Terri Reyes' Disappearance
Shortly before Shantae's disappearance, on May 26, 2006, Terri Reyes, a 37-year-old mother of three, vanished in Jacksonville, Texas. Terri was scheduled to attend her son's high school graduation but never showed up. Her last known whereabouts were attributed to her struggles with substance abuse, complicating the investigation and leading to a lack of urgency from law enforcement.
Brenda Graham [Terri's Mother] [Transcript Reference]: "It was frustrating because she would often hear phrases about Terri... but Terri would have never just severed communication with her three kids."
The Unraveling of Police Officer Larry Pugh
Allegations and Investigation
Amid the backdrop of these disappearances, suspicion began to fall on Larry Pugh, a 33-year-old officer in the Jacksonville Police Department (JPD). In September 2005, allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced, prompting an FBI investigation into Pugh's conduct while on duty.
Delia [00:00]: "Larry had used the power given to him by a governmental agency to commit a crime."
Pugh was charged with five counts of deprivation of rights under the color of law, specifically for sexually assaulting women he encountered during his service. These offenses were classified as Class A misdemeanors due to the absence of physical harm.
Delia [00:00]: "He was convicted on five counts of deprivation of rights under the color of law."
Further Misconduct and Legal Troubles
Pugh's behavior extended beyond sexual assault allegations. Multiple incidents of excessive force, unlawful arrests, and assault were reported, leading to several civil lawsuits against him, his former police chief Mark Johnson, and the city of Jacksonville.
Delia [00:00]: "He has an established MO of preying on women who were living transient lifestyles or had a substance use disorder."
Despite mounting evidence and multiple allegations, Pugh's trial faced delays. In August 2006, he was arrested again for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and obstruction of justice after attempting to assault a female witness scheduled to testify against him.
Connections Between the Missing Women and Larry Pugh
Suspected Involvement
The timing of Shantae and Terri's disappearances coincided with Pugh's period out on bond awaiting trial, raising suspicions about his potential involvement.
Margaret Anderson [00:00]: "Word was put out in Jacksonville that if anybody testified on Larry Pugh, they'd be dead."
Additionally, both women were connected to Alvin Boykin's shelter, where they were known to frequent, further deepening the疑惑 surrounding Pugh's possible link to their disappearances.
Disproven Connections
Despite suspicions, Jacksonville's new police chief, Reese Daniel, publicly stated that there was no definitive evidence connecting Pugh to the disappearances of Shantae and Terri.
Reese Daniel [Transcript Reference]: "We have absolutely nothing at this time to indicate he had anything to do with their disappearance."
Discovery and Identification of the Victims
Terry Reyes Found
In September 2006, hunters discovered skeletal remains in Angelina National Forest. Initially unidentified, the remains were later confirmed in June 2007 to belong to Terri Reyes, Solving her identity but not the cause or perpetrator of her death.
Shantae Coleman's Remains Uncovered
March 2014 brought closure to Shantae's disappearance when her remains were identified through DNA analysis after being found near Broadus, Texas. Despite this, the manner of her death remains unknown, and her case, along with Terri's, remains unsolved.
Frances Hicks [Shantae's Stepsister] [Transcript Reference]: "She was loved. She wasn't just some nobody that nobody thought of."
Legal Outcomes and Continuing Uncertainties
Larry Pugh's Convictions and Release
Pugh faced multiple charges and was eventually sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, with an additional 18 months for making false statements. He was released in May 2018 and returned to East Texas, where his presence sparked community concerns due to lingering suspicions.
Sheriff's Office [Transcript Reference]: "Larry Pugh has not been convicted of murder or any sexual assault case. He was convicted on other crimes and done time in federal prison."
Ongoing Investigations
Despite his release, both Shantae and Terri's cases remain unsolved, with law enforcement urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to justice for the missing women.
Conclusion: A Call for Closure
Delia D’Ambra closes the episode by emphasizing the unresolved nature of Shantae and Terri's disappearances. She underscores the importance of continued investigative efforts and public awareness to bring closure to their families and hold accountable those responsible.
Delia [00:00]: "Someone out there has information that could be key in finally bringing them the justice they and their families deserve."
Listeners are encouraged to contact relevant authorities with any information that could aid in solving these enduring mysteries.
Key Takeaways:
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Complex Interconnections: The disappearances of Shantae Coleman and Terri Reyes are intricately linked to the misconduct of police officer Larry Pugh.
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Systemic Failures: Both cases highlight potential systemic failures in law enforcement's handling of missing persons, especially those with transient lifestyles or substance abuse issues.
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Unresolved Justice: Despite convictions related to his misconduct, Larry Pugh was never linked conclusively to the disappearances, leaving both cases unresolved and families still seeking answers.
Notable Quotes:
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Delia D'Ambra [00:00]: "Angelina's boundary and left two particularly disturbing things bodies... [they] had a lot more in common than what met the eye."
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Margaret Anderson [00:00]: "Word was put out in Jacksonville that if anybody testified on Larry Pugh, they'd be dead."
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Frances Hicks [Transcript Reference]: "She was loved. She wasn't just some nobody that nobody thought of."
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Reese Daniel [Transcript Reference]: "We have absolutely nothing at this time to indicate he had anything to do with their disappearance."
For more information and to support ongoing investigations, listeners are directed to contact:
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Texas Department of Public Safety: 1-800-346-3243 or the Texas Rangers Cold Case website.
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Texas Crime Stoppers: 1-800-252-8477 (eligible for a cash reward up to $3,000).
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San Augustine County Sheriff's Office (for Shantae's case): 936-275-2424.
Park Predators is an Audio Chuck production. Visit ParkPredators.com for episode show notes and follow us on Instagram at @ParkPredators.