Hi, park enthusiasts. I'm your host, Delia Diambra, and the case I'm going to tell you about today

takes place in Burke County, North Carolina, in a stretch of woods in the western part of the state,

close to the Pisg National Forest. I first discovered this case while researching another

incident from this region, but the available reporting on this crime was pretty slim, so I knew that in order

to cover it thoroughly I was going to have to connect with the people closest to the investigation

to get the inside scoop.

The perpetrator in this case didn't just take one life.

He took several, all within a time span of just a few days.

The story involved a lot of moving parts, car crashes, foot chases,

and an officer involves shooting. So getting a hold of the firsthand accounts and documents related to all

those elements was critical. It's been more than a decade since the crimes took place, but for many

residents and law enforcement officials in western North Carolina,

the saga of events I'm going to dive into today is still quite fresh.

According to a tourism website for Burke County, it's known for being, quote, nature's playground, unquote, and a destination where you can catch beautiful sites, enjoy a small town

atmosphere, and learn about the area's rich history.

If you're familiar with Grandfather Mountain, that landmark is less than an hour from Burke County.

However, in the spring of 2014, the idyllic and inviting image of the region was tragically shattered when one ruthless predator tore through the community on a violent rampage.

The fracture effect of his actions on the people there was immeasurable,

but it was the brave sacrifice of one forced service officer and his canine partner

that ultimately led to the perpetrators' undoing.

This is Park Predators.

Music This is Park Predators. This is Park Predators. I'm Around 845 on Wednesday morning, March 12, 2014, Burke County Sheriff's deputies received a call from a concerned member of the community.

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