Morbid Outdoors

The podcast about the times when the "great outdoors" aren't always great. Join us to hear tales of all things morbid in the wild. We cover murders, missing persons, legends, and more all within our great national parks, wildernesses, and forests.
"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep..." -Robert Frost
If you've ever been told you're weird for liking morbid stuff, you're our kind of people. Come along and learn about all of the morbid tales in our lovely wild lands.
Dark Horizons Media, LLC

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 Morbid Outdoors Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Morbid Outdoors episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Morbid Outdoors for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Morbid Outdoors episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

25. M Cave Mystery (Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada)

Morbid Outdoors

02/05/25 • 34 min

November 2014 is when an experienced outdoorsman, hiker, and YouTuber goes missing in the Nevada desert. At the time of his disappearance he was heading out into the desert to find an “M” shaped cave that he had found on a previous adventure. He posted on YouTube that this cave had made his body vibrate and he wanted to investigate further. But on this last excursion, he vanished and was never seen again. This is the story of Kenny Veach.

If you have any information on this case, you are urged to call Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at (702) 828-3111. Agency Case Number: 141117-2621

Sources:

https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/september-october-2019/11423/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Kenny_Veach

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_National_Wildlife_Refuge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_Range

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellis_Air_Force_Base

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/256349595/kenneth_lee-veach

https://news3lv.com/archive/cell-phone-of-missing-hiker-found-near-abandoned-mine-shaft

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/kenny-veach

https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/youtube/keanny-veach-youtube-explorer-m-cave-358487-20241014

https://news3lv.com/news/local/caught-on-camera-mysterious-objects-seen-after-crook-breaks-into-spiritual-healing-store

https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP27018

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

The 10 Essentials for Outdoor Recreation here.
Leave No Trace (LNT) principles here.
Recreate responsibly and remember: sometimes the "great outdoors" aren't always great. Stay tuned & stay weird.
Email us case suggestions!
Connect with us on Instagram @morbidoutdoorspodcast
Connect with us on Facebook Morbid Outdoors Podcast
Share a "Campfire Story" for us to read on the pod! email us: [email protected]
Buy Me a Coffee

27. In Cold Blood (Jefferson National Forest, Virginia)

Morbid Outdoors

02/19/25 • 35 min

A college couple is gunned down while enjoying an evening under the stars in Jefferson National Forest. The killer left behind DNA but is still unknown to law enforcement these 16 years later. Many questions remain and the most puzzling one might be, “Why was this couple murdered in cold blood?”

The investigation includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with an array of other agencies including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. You can submit tips: https://vspunsolved.com. The State police also have a telephone tip line for the case at (540) 375-9589. There's a $100,000 reward out for any information leading to an arrest.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_and_Jefferson_National_Forests

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/wzk5a4/13year_anniversary_of_the_childsmetzler_murders/

https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Understanding-David-and-Heidi-Parents-share-memories-as-police-put-new-focus-on-murder-investigation-557917151.html

https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/09/04/15-years-later-investigation-continues-into-murders-heidi-childs-david-metzler/

https://vasheriff.org/2012/03/30/montgomery-county-sheriff-whitts-press-release-on-2009-murders/

https://lightsonpod.medium.com/brutal-virginia-tech-murders-7b425cdf6454

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title19.2/chapter18/article1.1/#:~:text=Every%20person%20arrested%20for%20the,deoxyribonucleic%20acid)%20analysis%20to%20determine

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

23. The Stairway to Heaven (Haʻikū Stairs, Oʻahu, Hawaii)

Morbid Outdoors

01/22/25 • 35 min

When a highschool student goes to hike an infamous stairway on the island of Oʻahu, he is never seen again. He posted on his Facebook that he was headed to hike the haiku stairs but he never returned. There are many theories as to what happened and even images that he took circulating the internet. In one of the images, it looks like someone was following him on the trail. Was it a hiking accident or was it something more sinister? It's been almost 10 years and his case is still unsolved.

If you have tips, you are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers Honolulu at 808-955-8300 or clicking the "Web Tip" button on the CrimeStoppers Honolulu website.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku_Stairs
https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/missing-hawaii-hiker-daylenn-pua-19805857.php
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=812091445532035&set=a.169216049819581
https://www.ladbible.com/community/daylenn-pua-2015-disappearance-theory-818640-20241014
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/28401461/family-of-missing-big-island-hiker-asking-for-publics-help-to-identify-man-in-photo/
https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/missing-hawaii-hiker-daylenn-pua-19805857.php
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/daylenn-pua
http://www.honolulucrimestoppers.org/sitemenu.aspx?P=MissingPersons&ID=606&SID=1130

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

36. Serial Killer in the Everglades (Everglades National Park, Florida)

Morbid Outdoors

04/16/25 • 34 min

The original “Florida Man” was likely a prolific serial killer. Edgar Watson killed multiple people and even a famous female outlaw. He was active from the late 1800s until 1910 and left a trail of bodies from Oklahoma to the Everglades. He used the swamps of Florida to cover up his murders and largely got away with it.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everglades_National_Park

https://flsheriffs.org/blog/entry/edgar-j-watson-serial-killer-or-florida-myth/

https://www.floridatrend.com/article/18034/the-town-that-killed-an-outlaw/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokoloskee,_Florida#Edgar_Watson

https://www.nps.gov/places/the-watson-place.htm

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

35. The Missing Skier (Mt. Saint Helens, Washington)

Morbid Outdoors

04/09/25 • 30 min

An experienced skier took off suddenly down a mountainside, seemingly frightened of something. He was with 20 other people on a climbing expedition, but they had gone down ahead of him. And this instance was the last time the experienced skier was ever seen. Does his disappearance have something to do with the Giant Ape attacks in the area way back in 1924? The only thing left was his discarded film box.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape_Canyon

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ape-canyon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifford_Pinchot_National_Forest

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/historical-strangeness/jim-carter-in-ape-canyon

https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/924826/The-Legend-of-Jim-Carter---Chased-off-Mount-Saint-Helen-by-Sasquatches

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

13. Vanished in Happy Valley (Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee)

Morbid Outdoors

11/27/24 • 31 min

When a man disappears into the forestland that surrounds his home everyone is stunned. He knew Great Smoky Mountains National Park like the back of his hand...so how did he go missing with no trace left behind? Only one clue was left behind: his idle ATV. Two questions remain: Did he stumble upon something he wasn’t supposed to see and where is he now?

Tips: Blount County Sheriff's Department 865-273-5001
**edit: I mentioned that Matt was Mike's brother, that is incorrect. Matt is one of Mike's sons.***
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Smoky_Mountains_National_Park
https://charleyproject.org/case/michael-edwin-hearon
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/special-reports/the-vanished/vanished-mike-hearon-missing-in-the-moutains/51-d4855ea8-13ba-4710-a534-0ce8f1dc8441
https://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/50-volunteers-join-search-for-missing-maryville-man-ep-411119166-359796801.html/?page=1
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/mike-hearon
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/mike-hearon-man-missing-in-the-mountains/51-354008626
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/128530073/

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

11. Homicide on the AT (Appalachian Trail, Virginia)

Morbid Outdoors

11/13/24 • 37 min

When a hiker’s remains are found in a shallow grave along the Appalachian Trail, an investigation immediately begins. Despite the FBI getting involved, a reward, and more than 80 interviews of other hikers, his murder went unsolved. Eight years later another hiker vanished from just a couple of miles from where the previous body was found. He was missing for a year before his remains were found. Who murdered both of these men? Is geography the only connecting factor in their cases or could something more sinister be going on in this area?

Those with information on Scott (Stonewall) Lilly are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 (1-800-CALL-FBI) and choose Option 4.

Those with information about Chad Austin are encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at (540) 375-9589 or contact us by email at [email protected].
Sources:
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/true-crime-in-the-outdoors/scott-lilly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail
https://appalachiantrailnoir.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/the-death-of-scott-lilly/
https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/notices/Scott-Lilly
https://hikeitforward.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/who-was-scott-lilly/
https://wset.com/news/local/multiple-law-enforcement-agencies-searching-for-missing-man
https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Family-organizes-search-party-for-missing-Buena-Vista-man-510760721.html?fbclid=IwAR0PxtUfH9n-ZSkbfAnjhCdRoyw13RkRd5fyMGN7dR8OuoFhlMJyu-innbU
https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Open-Case-Virginia-Buena-Vista-couple-anxious-for-answers-nine-months-after-sons-disappearance-568542231.html
https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2020/05/18/remains-of-missing-buena-vista-man-found-after-nearly-a-year-of-searching/?fbclid=IwAR2Ik9MqkBTJkHd2A9rHO6o6aym5Lqxna422aLfCJ9tTZhJDcpTZAQRgpDo

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

9. The Cryptids of Our National Parks (USA)

Morbid Outdoors

10/30/24 • 33 min

Our national parks are beautiful and contain many beautiful sights: from flowing rivers to snow capped mountain peaks to orange desertscapes. But do they also hold much more sinister sights that only few see while visiting? These parks are ancient, dark, and deep. Is it possible that there once were or still are ancient creatures that reside in them? Tune in to hear about some of the cryptids of the U.S. National Parks.
We visit the following national parks in this episode:
Yosemite National Park
Crater Lake National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Wind Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Glacier National Park
*Please forgive my pronunciations this episode, I tried my best!*
Sources:
https://www.discovery.com/shows/monsters-underground/episodes/grand-canyon-caverns-rakehttps://www.dailydot.com/irl/walking-sam-myth-lakota-pine-ridge-suicides/https://www.alamosa.org/directory/835-ufo-watchtowerhttps://history.denverlibrary.org/news/western-history/ufos-and-horse-called-snippyhttps://www.native-languages.org/morelegends/shunka-warekin.htmhttps://creepypasta-land.fandom.com/wiki/Walking_Samhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendigohttps://puzzleboxhorror.com/walking-sam-urban-legend/https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Shunka_Warakinhttps://www.andersondesigngroupstore.com/a/collections/legends-of-the-national-parks?srsltid=AfmBOoqs2IS_3kW5aEvxcp8S2VJHbCjmlzwh3p4qSgIM6Uap54B1oBp0

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

6. The First Murder of a NP Ranger (Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas)

Morbid Outdoors

10/09/24 • 32 min

One of the most dangerous places to be a law enforcement officer is inside the nation's national parks and preserves. Rangers work with little backup, in remote territories and face numerous dangers. While on patrol on West Mountain in Hot Springs National Park, U.S. National Park Ranger James A. Cary was murdered by bootleggers. His murder marked a historic event: he was the first U.S. national park ranger to ever be killed in the line of duty.

“From 2000 to 2010, a national park ranger was more likely to be assaulted in the line of duty than any other federal officer, including those who work for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Secret Service, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Add fatal accidents involving natural disasters and plane crashes, and a park ranger is up to 12 times more likely to die on the job than a special agent for the FBI.” -Andrea Lankford reporting for Backpacker.com
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2005/06/18/4709159/the-dangers-of-being-a-ranger
https://www.nps.gov/hosp/learn/historyculture/james-a-cary.htm
https://www.backpacker.com/stories/ranger-confidential-secrets-of-the-national-park-rangers/
https://www.treehugger.com/hot-springs-national-park-facts-5189877
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Springs_National_Park
https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/james-alexander-cary-12010/
https://www.nps.gov/hosp/learn/news/memorial-to-ranger-james-a-cary.htm
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68403440/james-alexander-cary
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/may/30/hot-springs-honors-slain-park-ranger-20/
https://www.hotsr.com/news/2017/may/17/national-park-service-ranger-discusses-/
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=211011

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!

40. Disappeared in Dorena (Umpqua National Forest, Oregon)

Morbid Outdoors

05/14/25 • 32 min

Oregon ranks 3rd nationally for disappearances and one person on that list is a man from Eugene who disappeared from a campground in the Umpqua National Forest in August 2020. He was last seen walking away from a party and has never been seen since. The wilderness has been searched extensively, but he is still missing.

If you have any information on the disappearance of Michael Bryson, you are asked to call the Lane County Sheriff's Office at 541-682-4150 then press 1 and reference case #20-5286. The $10,000 reward gathered by his family is being offered for information that leads to Michael. Reward is subject to location of Michael and those involved in his disappearance. NamUs #MP72954

Sources:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsfindmichaelbrysonofficial

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpqua_National_Forest

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/michael-bryson

https://www.solvethecase.org/case/2020-13/michael-anthony-bryson

https://www.kezi.com/news/two-years-after-michael-brysons-disappearance-family-and-friends-host-5k-shuffle/article_58934940-15f4-11ed-8e86-33e641426ea1.html

https://thatoregonlife.com/2024/10/k9-teams-to-search-for-michael-bryson-still-missing-4-years-later/

https://thatoregonlife.com/2024/11/graffiti-on-county-jail-wall-in-oregon-raises-questions-in-unsolved-michael-bryson-case/

Support the show

Join our Patreon for bonus content! Click here!