The MeatEater Podcast: Ep. 680 – Blood Trails: A Turkey Woods Cold Case

Host: Steven Rinella
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Network: The MeatEater Podcast Network

Overview

In Episode 680 of The MeatEater Podcast, host Steven Rinella delves into the haunting cold case of David Stack, a passionate turkey hunter whose life was tragically cut short in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Titled "Blood Trails: A Turkey Woods Cold Case," the episode meticulously unpacks the events surrounding David’s disappearance and murder, the ensuing investigation, and the lingering questions that have left his family searching for answers for over two decades. Through engaging storytelling, insightful discussions with experts, and poignant interviews with those closest to the case, Rinella paints a comprehensive picture of this unresolved tragedy.

Incident Background

Date and Location:

• Date: April 12, 2003
• Location: David Stack's 190-acre wilderness property in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley

The Victim:
David Stack, 44, was a successful construction business owner with a loving family. His expansive property served as his sanctuary, where he indulged in hunting turkeys and deer or simply enjoyed the serene sounds of nature.

The Day of the Incident:
On the opening day of turkey season, David, along with his son Brian and brother Jeff, embarked on separate hunting spots they had meticulously scouted the night before. At approximately 5:30 AM, Jeff heard a gunshot that felt out of place:

Jeff Stack [01:54]: "It was still dark. I don't think it was legal shooting. And I heard a gunshot and as best as I could tell it came from over near where Dave was. And I said to myself, damn Dave, I don't think that was a legal shot."

Brian also heard shots but, due to windy conditions distorting the sound, dismissed his concerns initially. However, as hours passed without any sign of David returning, unease grew into fear. By noon, his absence was alarming, escalating to panic by 4 PM.

By nightfall, extensive searches involving neighbors, state troopers, and aerial surveillance yielded no results. The following morning, David's body was discovered under perplexing circumstances:

Jeff Stack [03:54]: "That's about the time I then saw Dave laying on his back... I checked. I think I checked the pulse, but it was obvious he was dead."

Discovery and Initial Observations

Crime Scene Details: David was found lying on his back with a bullet hole in his back, his gun untouched, and his sandwich still in his vest—signs that contradicted an accidental death. Notably, his full face mask was pulled up to his head, and a single cigarette butt was found nearby:

Kenny Graff [05:23]: "If you're familiar with turkey hunt... Dave's was pulled all the way back over top of his head as if someone had pulled it up to see his face."

Inconsistent Details: Several discrepancies raised suspicions:

• Bullet Characteristics: The bullet entered David from behind, cutting his aorta and lodging in his heart, indicating a close-range shot.
• Cigarette Butt: The butt found was of a different brand than what David typically smoked, suggesting the presence of another individual.
• Face Mask and Glasses: Tammy Stack, David’s wife, emphasized that David never adjusted his glasses upward casually, leading to speculation that someone might have moved his mask and glasses to access his face.

Investigation and Challenges

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Involvement:
The DWR took over the investigation, but despite initial efforts, the case remains unsolved:

Kenny Graff [04:18]: "We get him out, and I mean, I'm just struggling... It's just no fun at all."

Suspects and Leads:
Neighbors and friends became primary suspects:

• Johnson: A neighbor who initially denied hunting but later pointed investigators toward the exact location where David was found.
• Smith: Alleged to have been hunting on the morning David was killed, though his whereabouts remain unverified.

Both individuals have not been conclusively identified or linked to the crime, leaving the case open with no arrests made.

Lack of Communication:
The Stack family and friends have expressed frustration over the DWR’s limited communication and lack of progress:

Kenny Graff [21:50]: "We had a very hard time for years just getting them to communicate with us and talk to us."

Evidence Handling Concerns:
Questions arose regarding the collection and preservation of evidence:

• The cigarette butt, possibly critical in identifying the shooter, was reportedly not collected by the police.
• A pill bottle found near the property line did not lead to any breakthroughs.

Neighbor Interactions and Leads

Initial Neighbor Interviews: Kenny Graff recounted his interactions with neighbors, revealing suspicious behaviors:

Kenny Graff [13:27]: "He says, 'shows the property line where his property joins Dave's property... you should look right in this area here.'"

Tips from America’s Most Wanted: A segment aired on the show generated two tips pointing toward Johnson:

Kenny Graff [18:27]: "The second tip says you should talk to he has a hunting camp and he has... hunters there that morning and they left that morning."

Despite these leads, no substantial evidence tying Johnson or Smith to the crime has surfaced, leaving their involvement speculative at best.

Discovery of the Pill Bottle: Years later, Jeff Stack found an empty pill bottle near the crime scene, further complicating the investigation:

Jeff Stack [16:20]: "I found the pill bundle with name on it... It was empty."

This discovery did not yield significant progress, highlighting the difficulties in solving outdoor hunting-related homicides.

Case Status and Agency Response

DWR’s Current Position:
As of the episode’s release, the case remains active, with special agents assigned and efforts to digitize case files underway. The DWR has escalated the case to the state cold case database in collaboration with the Virginia State Police:

Jordan Sillers [21:04]: "Special agents are currently assigned and they said in an email that, quote, recent investigative measures and evidence examinations have been explored."

Public Information Requests:
Attempts to obtain more detailed information through public records and direct inquiries have been met with resistance, as the DWR maintains the case's confidentiality to protect the investigation’s integrity.

Unanswered Questions:
Key questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the identity and motive of the shooter:

• Who pulled the trigger?
• Did the shooter know what they had done?
• Was it a hunting accident or something more sinister?

Expert Opinion: Insights from Brent Reeves

To shed light on the complexities of the case, host Steven Rinella consults with Brent Reeves, a seasoned law enforcement veteran with 32 years of experience, including work in homicide investigations.

Investigation Strategies: Reeves outlines the critical steps in homicide investigations, emphasizing the importance of a secured perimeter, meticulous evidence collection, and thorough canvassing of potential witnesses:

Brent Reeves [28:05]: "You have to build as big a perimeter as you can and slowly work your way from the outside in."

Crime Scene Analysis: Reeves comments on the challenges posed by outdoor crime scenes, where environmental factors can obscure evidence and hinder swift investigation.

Eyewitness Testimony: Tammy Stack highlights the variability in eyewitness observations, noting that different individuals may recall events differently, which can complicate the investigation:

Tammy Stack [34:59]: "Sometimes that would lead one to believe that the statements were manufactured before you got there."

Close-Range Indicators: Reeves and Tammy discuss forensic indicators that the shooter was likely aware of their actions, such as bullet trajectory, penetration, and environmental conditions:

Tammy Stack [38:03]: "If there's what's called stippling around the entrance... it tells you that the person, the barrel of the weapon that was used was not close to the body or to the point of contact."

Advancements in Forensic Science: Reeves underscores the potential for modern forensic techniques to revisit the case, suggesting that existing evidence could be reanalyzed with updated technology:

Tammy Stack [42:19]: "If science has come a long way... resubmission of evidence to a forensics lab would be something that I would look at specifically."

Challenges in Cold Case Resolution

Lack of Physical Evidence:
With the primary physical evidence either lost or inconclusive, investigators face significant hurdles in linking suspects to the crime.

Aging Witness Statements:
Decades have passed since the incident, leading to faded memories and potential discrepancies in witness testimonies.

Possible Suspect Elusiveness:
If the shooter was not a local resident, their identification and apprehension become even more challenging, reducing the likelihood of closure.

Agency Limitations:
The DWR's tight-lipped approach, while intended to protect the integrity of the investigation, has inadvertently left the case's details shrouded in mystery, frustrating the Stack family and those seeking answers.

Family’s Plea and Hope for Justice

Tammy Stack’s Appeal:
David’s widow, Tammy, implores the perpetrator to come forward, seeking resolution and an end to the family's prolonged suffering:

Tammy Stack [52:14]: "I just wish that they would come forward, say something. I mean, they've put us through hell. Have a soul man come out and say something."

Family’s Resilience:
Despite the enduring pain, the Stack family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, holding onto the hope that new evidence or a willing informant might finally bring closure to this cold case.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode concludes, Steven Rinella emphasizes the importance of community awareness and the potential for new leads to emerge:

Unknown Hunter [52:40]: "I'm telling you, man, there's nothing quite like it gives me chubby just thinking about it..."

The episode serves as both a tribute to David Stack and a call to action for listeners who might hold crucial information to come forward, ensuring that justice is not lost to time.

Final Thoughts

"Blood Trails: A Turkey Woods Cold Case" stands out as a poignant exploration of a family's loss and the systemic challenges inherent in solving outdoor-related crimes. Through emotional narratives, expert insights, and a thorough examination of investigative procedures, Steven Rinella not only honors David Stack's memory but also sheds light on the broader issues that complicate cold case resolutions. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, community involvement, and advancements in forensic science in the pursuit of justice.

If you or anyone you know has information about this case, please contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ anonymous tip line at 1-800-237-56, text 847-411, or email wildcrimewr.virginia.gov.

Note: Portions of the transcript containing advertisements and non-content sections have been intentionally omitted to maintain the focus on the case details and discussions.