Park Predators: Missing People & Serial Killers With Deliah D’Ambra

America’s parks and forests are places of incredible beauty, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to hike, camp, fish, hunt, and reconnect with nature. For the overwhelming majority of people, those adventures end with unforgettable memories. Some, however, never return home. And that’s why we interviewed Delia D’ambra of Park Predators to discuss her research.

Across the United States, national parks, state parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands have been the settings for mysterious disappearances, violent crimes, and unsolved murders. While these incidents remain extremely rare compared to the number of annual visitors, they remind us that even the most beautiful places can sometimes become crime scenes.

In this episode of Dark Outdoors, I welcome investigative journalist Delia D’Ambra, creator and host of the acclaimed true crime podcast Park Predators, to discuss the disturbing reality of crimes committed in America’s public lands. We examine why predators sometimes target remote outdoor locations, how investigators approach these difficult cases, and what outdoor enthusiasts can do to stay safe without allowing fear to overshadow adventure.

Dark Outdoors Podcast | Episode 14

Listen to the Podcast

🎧 Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/park-predators-with-investigative-journalist-delia/id1630809603?i=1000618468512

🎧 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sitfnjSJZxA9j2L8907PE?si=RpBO86xsQpmMNW6IWI-q0g

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Investigation Summary

Investigating crimes committed in remote outdoor environments presents unique challenges. Dense forests, rugged mountains, vast deserts, and isolated trails can delay emergency response, complicate searches, and make collecting evidence far more difficult than in urban settings.

During this conversation, Delia D’Ambra shares insights from researching numerous cases featured on Park Predators, discussing missing persons, murders, and unsolved mysteries connected to America’s parks. We also examine practical outdoor safety strategies and why awareness—not fear—is the key to safely enjoying public lands.

Why Parks Sometimes Attract Criminals

Most people visit parks to enjoy nature, but remote locations can also appeal to individuals looking for privacy and isolation. Criminals understand that trails, campgrounds, boat launches, and backcountry areas often have fewer witnesses and longer law enforcement response times than populated areas.

Fortunately, these crimes remain uncommon. Understanding that they can occur simply encourages outdoor enthusiasts to stay aware of their surroundings and make thoughtful decisions while exploring unfamiliar places.

The Challenge of Missing Persons Investigations

When someone disappears in a remote wilderness area, investigators face enormous challenges.

Weather changes quickly. Wildlife, rivers, and difficult terrain can alter evidence. Vast search areas often require hundreds of volunteers, specialized search teams, aircraft, drones, and trained tracking dogs.

Determining whether someone became lost, suffered an accident, experienced a medical emergency, or became the victim of a crime is often one of the most difficult parts of the investigation.

What Park Predators Reveals

One reason Park Predators has become so popular is that it focuses on cases many people have never heard about.

Delia’s research highlights the human stories behind these investigations while showing how experienced detectives, search teams, and journalists work together to uncover the truth. The series also demonstrates that every missing person deserves attention, regardless of whether their case receives national media coverage.

Staying Safe in the Outdoors

Knowledge remains your greatest safety tool.

Before heading into remote areas, let someone know where you’re going, carry reliable navigation equipment, remain aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts if something feels wrong. Most visits to parks are completely safe, but simple preparation can dramatically improve your ability to respond if circumstances change unexpectedly.

The goal isn’t to make people afraid of public lands.

It’s to help them enjoy those places with confidence and awareness.

Why These Stories Matter

One of the reasons I created Dark Outdoors was to examine the intersection of the outdoors and true crime without sensationalism. Cases involving missing people and violent crime deserve thoughtful discussion because they often lead to better awareness, stronger investigative techniques, and practical lessons that may help prevent future tragedies.

Every solved case begins with someone asking the right questions.

What You’ll Hear
  • Delia D’Ambra’s work on Park Predators
  • Missing persons investigations in parks and forests
  • Why predators sometimes target remote public lands
  • The challenges facing investigators and search teams
  • Outdoor safety lessons everyone can use
  • Why awareness is the best defense
  • How true crime and the outdoors intersect
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About Chester Moore

Chester Moore is an award-winning wildlife journalist, author, filmmaker, and host of Dark Outdoors. His work combines decades of investigative reporting with a passion for wildlife, conservation, and outdoor adventure, exploring the remarkable intersection of nature, true crime, and unexplained mysteries while encouraging people to experience the outdoors with knowledge, respect, and awareness.