Park Predators — “The Worker”

Host: Delia D’Ambra
Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast by: audiochuck

Episode Overview

In this emotional and meticulously researched episode, Delia D’Ambra brings listeners into the true story of the senseless 1995 killing of David Jack Wheeler, a U.S. Forest Service worker, by two teenage escapees in Idaho’s Payette National Forest. The episode explores not only the tragic event but the systemic failures that enabled it, the devastating aftermath on loved ones, and the rare, enduring kindness of the victim whose “service above self” resonated throughout his life and legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Payette National Forest & the Victim

• [02:33] The Payette National Forest is described: over 2.3 million acres, five ranger districts, and vast, scenic landscapes—some rarely visited due to remoteness.
• Context: Forest Service employees like David Wheeler maintain these beautiful and sometimes isolated spaces, often working alone and unseen.
• Victim Introduction: David Wheeler, a respected, longtime civil engineer and Vietnam veteran, was “a big supporter of barrier free access” and well-known for his kindness and community involvement.

The Escape & Early Crime Spree

• [03:40] On April 26, 1995, two teens, Eric Scott Brown (17) and Ronald Steiner (16), escaped a juvenile detention trailer in Elmore County, Idaho, believed to be armed and in a stolen Chevy flatbed truck.
• [04:30-07:59] Law enforcement tracked them through witness sightings and eventually picked them up in Weiser, Idaho. Both had suspicious items—David Wheeler’s ID and credit cards were found on Eric.
• [08:00-09:05] Interrogations begin; Eric is evasive but eventually admits to abandoning the truck and dumping the weapons.

Discovery of the Crime

• [09:07-12:44] Upon Eric’s admission that he “shot a man by a ranger station,” Ronald leads investigators to the crime scene at Man Creek Reservoir. There, Wheeler’s body is found—he’d been ambushed and shot in the head while in uniform and on duty. Evidence suggests robbery and an unprovoked killing.

“The raw senselessness of what happened to him brought me to tears...will likely remain a case that will stick with you for a long, long time.”
— Delia D’Ambra [02:33]

Conflicting Confessions and Character Reveals

• [14:06-16:26] Both boys are interrogated. Ronald describes Eric as the shooter, claiming he acted randomly as Wheeler kindly retrieved them water. Eric’s story is more calculating—he wanted the truck, planned the killing, and stated he was motivated by hearing voices.
• [16:38-18:57] The stories diverge: Ronald frames himself as a bystander, while Eric describes premeditation and even contemplated killing Ronald, too.

“He pulled out his handgun and shot the worker in the back of his head from roughly three feet away.”
— Eric's confession [16:40]

Wheeler’s Background, Family, and Community Impact

• [19:08-23:23] Wheeler’s widow shares disbelief and heartbreak. Community testimonials highlight his kindness—he’d just been named Father of the Year for his generosity and connection with young people.
• [22:50] The two accused teens had troubled backgrounds with family instability and educational issues—magnifying the tragedy and raising questions about systemic oversight.

“[Wheeler’s wife:] It’s just sort of incomprehensible right now that he’s not going to drive up and walk in the door.”
— Christie Wheeler [22:50]

Systemic Failures: The Detention Trailer & Juvenile Justice

• [26:06-27:47] The escape from a poorly secured juvenile trailer underscores vulnerabilities in Idaho’s youth detention system. Warnings about the lack of security had gone unheeded, reflecting broader problems with capacity and oversight.

Legal Proceedings and Suppression of Evidence

• [27:49-32:04] Both teens are charged as adults with first degree murder. Their police statements are eventually suppressed due to “coercion and intimidation” in violation of rights, but the judge denies separate trials.
• [29:25] The teens’ backgrounds and psychological evaluations are reviewed as their cases advance.

“Coercion and intimidation was placed on these individuals. This is not a court made law, but society’s law passed by the legislature...At some point, the coercion is overwhelming and that is why the law is so strict.”
— Judge’s ruling on interrogation, [30:08]

Plea Agreements, Sentencing & Restorative Actions

• [32:04-34:05] Facing the possibility of execution, Ronald accepts an Alford plea (second degree murder) and Eric pleads guilty to first degree murder in exchange for life sentences.
• [34:32] Court hearings reveal chilling details: Eric, heavily influenced by dark beliefs and delusions, had told others he “needed to kill someone to become a Satanist.” Ronald is characterized as an easily led follower with intellectual disabilities.
• [35:35-36:10] Victim impact statements convey lasting pain. Christie Wheeler presents Bibles to the defendants, expressing forgiveness and hope for their future despite their crime.

“You destroyed the life of a loving and caring man.”
— Wheeler’s father-in-law to the defendants, [34:54]

Legacy and Reflections

• [37:27-38:44] The community honors David Wheeler with a memorial footbridge; his legacy remembered by hundreds who packed his service and by his daughter Melissa, who grew into adulthood shaped by the loss.
• [38:22-38:44] Melissa reflects on forgiveness and resilience, choosing understanding over anger:

“I just could never fathom killing someone or wanting to hurt someone. It makes me sad to think something was so wrong with their lives...If I was going to spend my life being angry, that would have taken me down some different paths, and I know that’s not what dad would have wanted.”
— Melissa Wheeler [38:22]

• [39:57] The closing emphasizes David Wheeler's own words:

“I believe in service above self. It has become apparent to me, mostly through trial and error, that I am happiest when I help someone else be happy.”
— David Wheeler, Baker City Rotary Club newsletter [39:46]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The raw senselessness of what happened to him brought me to tears.” — Delia D’Ambra [02:33]
• “He pulled out his handgun and shot the worker in the back of his head from roughly three feet away.” — Eric’s confession [16:40]
• “You destroyed the life of a loving and caring man.” — Wheeler’s father-in-law to the defendants [34:54]
• “If I was going to spend my life being angry, that would have taken me down some different paths, and I know that’s not what dad would have wanted.” — Melissa Wheeler [38:44]
• “I believe in service above self...I am happiest when I help someone else be happy.” — David Wheeler’s Rotary Club statement [39:46]

Timeline of Key Events (Timestamps)

• [02:33] Introduction to Payette National Forest and park workers
• [03:40] Law enforcement hears alert about escaped, armed juveniles
• [04:30-07:59] Teens apprehended, incriminating evidence found
• [09:07] Discovery of David Wheeler’s body at guard station
• [14:06] Ronald’s first confession: shooting described
• [16:26-18:56] Eric’s confession: more details and mental health issues emerge
• [19:08-23:23] Community/grief, Wheeler’s background, and impact on family
• [26:06-27:47] Exposé on systemic issues in Idaho’s juvenile justice system
• [27:49-30:11] Legal proceedings, suppression of confessions
• [32:04-34:05] Plea bargains accepted, sentencing phase
• [34:32-34:54] Victim impact statements in court
• [37:27-38:44] Legacy: memorials, Melissa Wheeler’s philosophical reflection
• [39:46-39:57] Wheeler’s powerful words on service and kindness

Tone & Takeaways

Delia D’Ambra’s reporting is empathetic yet clear-eyed, balancing the senselessness and heartbreak of Wheeler’s murder with a tribute to his character and the ripples of kindness he left behind. The narrative is careful to spotlight systemic social issues while never losing sight of the human cost. The episode’s closing message is one of hope: that even in tragedy, “service above self” can still inspire and uplift.

For further resources and source material, visit parkpredators.com