WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:01.600 Today, I want to tell you about a journey that 2 00:00:01.600 --> 00:00:03.879 I've been on for most of my life. Ever since 3 00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:05.799 I was a kid, I've heard tales of bigfoot and 4 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:08.320 wild men while spending time with my friends and family. 5 00:00:09.039 --> 00:00:11.439 As I grew older and read more about the paranormal, 6 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:14.679 my interest in encryptids and other things strange only deepened. 7 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:17.160 That's why I'm so excited to share with you what 8 00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:21.640 I've personally become involved with the Untold Radio Network. The 9 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:25.280 Untold Radio Network is a live streaming podcast network that 10 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:29.359 airs a new show every day across all podcast platforms, YouTube, 11 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:32.119 and more. They have eight different shows on all sorts 12 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:36.119 of exciting topics such as bigfoot, cryptids, UFOs, aliens, and 13 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:39.479 much more. I even have my own show called Weird Encounters, 14 00:00:39.479 --> 00:00:42.439 where I talk about all things strange. This is more 15 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:45.280 than just a podcast network. It's a community that allows 16 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:47.759 me to meet so many amazing people who share their 17 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:51.520 stories and experiences with strange. If you're interested in hearing 18 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:53.880 more of these stories and learning more about the paranormal 19 00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:56.679 and encryptids, make sure you check out the Untold Radio 20 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:00.600 Network for all kinds of exciting shows. It's free to subscribe. 21 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:04.400 So what are you waiting for visit www dot untold 22 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:06.560 radionetwork dot com today. 23 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:09.680 Now, what are your reporting? I got a screen going 24 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:12.120 on here. Something just kid with my dog, something to 25 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.280 kill your dog? My dog. We're flying through there, over 26 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:20.079 the tree. I don't know how it did it? Okay, damn, 27 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:22.640 I'm really confused. All I saw was my dog coming 28 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:24.480 over the fence, and they would dead once you hit 29 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:26.560 the grill. I didn't see any cars. All I saw 30 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:45.120 was my dog coming over the fence. Sat, what are 31 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:49.959 you reporting? We got some wonder or something crawling around 32 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:58.640 out here? Did you see what it was? It was 33 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:01.519 enough here. Look, I'm new to window now and I 34 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:08.840 don't need anything. I don't want to go outside. Hello, 35 00:02:10.439 --> 00:02:12.759 hit the boddy out here? What quin I'm out there? 36 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:15.520 I thought of a bench about text nine. I don't 37 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:18.280 know easy an out there? Yeah, I'm walking right heady 38 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:19.520 h Hey there. 39 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:22.000 Now, if you've been following me for a while, you 40 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:25.560 know I'm always diving deep into the unexplained, the mysterious, 41 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:29.439 and the downright chilling. But today I've got something a 42 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:32.719 little different. I recently kicked off a brand new series 43 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:37.159 over on my other podcast, Backwoods Bigfoot, stories. It's called 44 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:40.560 National Park Nightmares, and in it, I'm covering some of 45 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:44.280 the most unsettling and baffling disappearance cases from in and 46 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:48.000 around our national parks. We dropped the first episode this 47 00:02:48.039 --> 00:02:51.800 past Sunday and the response has been nothing short of overwhelming, 48 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:55.319 So I thought, why not bring it over here and 49 00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:58.319 share it with you as a little true Crime Tuesday bonus. 50 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:01.319 I hope you enjoy it, and if you do, I'd 51 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:03.879 love to hear from you. Shoot me an email or 52 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:06.280 leave me a voicemail using the button right there in 53 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:09.400 the show notes. Your feedback means more than you could 54 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.840 ever know, and it truly makes a difference in the 55 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:15.159 type of content we bring you. All right, let's not 56 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:19.840 waste any more time. Sit back, relax, maybe grab a lantern, 57 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:22.039 and get ready as we head deep into the woods 58 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:26.439 for this first installment of National Park Nightmares. There's something 59 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:30.240 unsettling about the vast, untamed wilderness of our national parks. 60 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:36.599 Sprawling landscapes of breathtaking beauty. Towering granite cliffs, deep forests, 61 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:41.080 rushing rivers, and endless trails draw millions of visitors each year. 62 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:44.319 But for some, these places are more than just an 63 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:48.520 escape into nature. For an unknown number of individuals, they 64 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:52.479 become the last place they are ever seen. Over the years, 65 00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:57.400 countless people have vanished under circumstances that defy explanation. While 66 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:01.759 some disappearances can be attributed to accidents, wildlife encounters, or 67 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:05.599 simply getting lost, others bear a series of eerily consistent 68 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:10.400 patterns that raise unsettling questions. Time and time again. These 69 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:14.560 cases unfold in strikingly similar ways. Many of those who 70 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:17.759 go missing or last seen near lakes, rivers, or streams. 71 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.560 In some cases, their belongings or even bodies are later 72 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:25.319 discovered in or near water, sometimes in locations that had 73 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:29.560 already been thoroughly searched. Strange as it may seem, disappearances 74 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:34.199 often happen near large rock formations, cliffs, or granite structures. 75 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:38.079 Whether this is a coincidence or something more is unknown, 76 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:42.319 but the trend is undeniable. Another common theme is the 77 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:48.399 abrupt onset of extreme weather unexpected snowstorms, torrential rain, dense 78 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:53.319 fog that hamper search efforts and erases crucial evidence. Search 79 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:56.199 teams have often been forced to halt operations due to 80 00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:01.199 these sudden and sometimes unseasonal weather shifts. When remains or 81 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:05.000 belongings are found, They often turn up in baffling locations, 82 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:08.920 sometimes miles from where the person was last seen, in 83 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.319 terrain so difficult that even experienced hikers would struggle to 84 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:16.480 get there. Other times, items of clothing are discovered neatly folded, 85 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:19.639 or shoes are missing, despite no apparent reason for them 86 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:23.560 to have been removed. Many of these cases involve individuals 87 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:27.959 who were highly experienced in the outdoors, hikers, hunters, and 88 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:31.199 even park rangers, people who knew how to survive in 89 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:34.000 the wild and had no reason to simply wander off 90 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:38.120 or take unnecessary risks. Yet they vanished just the same, 91 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:41.920 with little to no evidence left behind. One of the 92 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:45.120 most perplexing aspects of these cases is when young children 93 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:48.600 go missing, only to be found alive days later in 94 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:51.040 places that should have been impossible for them to reach 95 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:54.600 on their own. Some have no recollection of what happened, 96 00:05:54.920 --> 00:06:00.560 while others describe strange and unsettling experiences. Despite extensive efforts 97 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:05.319 involving dogs, helicopters, and expert trackers, some of these individuals 98 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:08.879 are never found. Others appear in places that had been 99 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:13.439 searched multiple times, raising the question were they always there 100 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:17.360 or were they brought back. Over the next several weeks, 101 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.160 we're going to take a deep dive into some of 102 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:22.240 the most baffling disappearances that have taken place in our 103 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:27.319 national parks. Every Sunday, we'll examine a different case, analyzing 104 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:32.240 the details, considering the possibilities, and exploring the strange circumstances 105 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:35.800 that seem to surround these tragedies. I invite you to 106 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:38.639 join me on this journey, not only to remember those 107 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:41.920 who have vanished, but to explore the deeper mystery behind 108 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:46.480 these cases. Are these disappearances merely a tragic byproduct of 109 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:50.040 the wilderness, or is there something more at play? Let's 110 00:06:50.040 --> 00:06:53.519 find out together. In this series, we will cover numerous 111 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:57.759 strange and unexplainable disappearances across the country, from the dense 112 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:01.160 forests of the Pacific Northwest to the deep canyons of 113 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:05.759 the Southwest. As we dig deeper, we will encounter chilling theories, 114 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:10.079 eerie folklore, and at times facts that truly are stranger 115 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:14.040 than fiction. One theory that occasionally arises in discussions of 116 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:18.480 these disappearances is the involvement of an unknown creature Bigfoot. 117 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:23.120 Some speculate that the elusive legendary creature known as Sasquatch 118 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:26.839 may play a role in these vanishings. Let me be clear, 119 00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:29.879 I am in no way suggesting that Sasquatch or any 120 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:33.439 cryptid was involved in the cases we will cover. My 121 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:36.040 goal is to approach these stories with respect for the 122 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:39.639 missing individuals and their loved ones, to examine the facts, 123 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:42.720 and to give voice to the lingering mysteries that continue 124 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:46.639 to haunt those left searching for answers. The goal of 125 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:50.959 this series is not to sensationalize, but to investigate, analyze, 126 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:54.959 and share the real, documented circumstances of these baffling cases. 127 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:58.279 So join me as we begin our journey into National 128 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:02.920 Park nightmares. In this first episode, we explore three particularly 129 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:06.920 unsettling cases, the disappearance of six year old Dennis Martin 130 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.600 in the Great Smoky Mountains, the strange vanishing of Thelmapauline 131 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:14.120 Melton on a familiar hiking trail, and the baffling case 132 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:18.040 of honeymooners Bessie and Glen Hyde, who disappeared while attempting 133 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:22.199 to navigate the Grand Canyon's treacherous rapids. Each of these 134 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:26.519 cases has confounded investigators for decades, and the answers if 135 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:31.120 they exist remain just beyond our grasp. Nestled in the 136 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:34.799 heart of Appalachia, Great Smoky Mountains National Park stands as 137 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:39.120 a testament to nature's enduring beauty and resilience. Established in 138 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:42.879 nineteen thirty four and officially dedicated in nineteen forty, the 139 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:46.279 park sprawls over five hundred twenty two thousand, four hundred 140 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:50.600 nineteen acres, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. 141 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:56.919 Its vast expanse encompasses ancient mountains, diverse ecosystems, and remnants 142 00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:01.240 of Southern Appalachian culture, offering visitors a rich tapestry of 143 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:05.679 natural and cultural history. As the most visited national park 144 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:09.080 in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 145 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:13.240 seen fluctuating visitation numbers over the years. Home to over 146 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:17.320 one thousand, five hundred species of flowering plants, including thirty 147 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:20.039 five types of orchids and fifty eight members of the 148 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:24.519 lily family, Approximately ninety five percent of the park is forested, 149 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.240 with about twenty five percent designated as old growth forest. 150 00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:33.000 The park hosts sixty five species of mammals, over two hundred, 151 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:37.919 forty bird species, forty three amphibian species, sixty seven fish 152 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:42.600 species and forty reptile species. Notably, the park is dubbed 153 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:45.799 the Salamander Capital of the World due to its rich 154 00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:50.799 salamander diversity. Visitors can engage in a multitude of activities. 155 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:54.240 The park boasts eight hundred and fifty miles of trails, 156 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:58.200 including a segment of the Appalachian Trail. It also features 157 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:01.759 routes like Newfound Gap Road and the CAD's Cove Loop Road. 158 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.320 There are endless opportunities to observe species such as black bears, 159 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:11.279 white tailed deer, and various bird species. Beyond its breathtaking 160 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:15.840 vistas and rich biodiversity, Great Smoky Mountains National Park harbors 161 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:20.600 stories of mystery and unresolved disappearances. Since its establishment in 162 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:24.200 nineteen thirty four, at least five individuals have vanished within 163 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:29.960 its boundaries, leaving behind unanswered questions and enduring intrigue. One 164 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:32.200 of the most haunting cases is that of six year 165 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:36.440 old Dennis Martin. On June fourteenth, nineteen sixty nine, during 166 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:38.879 a Father's Day camping trip with his family at Spence 167 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:42.960 Field near the Appalachian Trail, Dennis disappeared while playing a 168 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:46.720 game of hide and seek. Despite an extensive search, involving 169 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:50.279 approximately one thy four hundred people and covering a fifty 170 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:53.639 six square mile area, the largest in the park's history. 171 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:58.000 No trace of Dennis was ever found. In October nineteen 172 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:01.080 seventy six, sixteen year old Trainy Gibson embarked on a 173 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:04.200 field trip with her high school to the park. While 174 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.600 hiking the trail from Klingman's Dome to Andrew's Bald, she 175 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:10.879 was last seen veering off the path, reportedly to observe 176 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:15.240 something that caught her attention. Despite extensive searches, no clues 177 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:19.159 regarding her whereabouts had been discovered. At fifty eight. Polly 178 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:23.039 Melton was familiar with the park's trails. On September twenty fifth, 179 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.120 nineteen eighty one, while hiking Deep Creek Trail with friends, 180 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:31.600 she unexpectedly quickened her pace, leaving her companions behind. When 181 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.519 they reached the trailhead, Polly was nowhere to be found, 182 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:39.000 and subsequent searches yielded no evidence of her fate. These 183 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:43.480 cases underscore the unpredictable nature of the wilderness. The park's 184 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:47.960 dense forests, steep terrains, and variable weather can pose significant 185 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:52.919 challenges even for seasoned hikers. While some speculate about animal 186 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:57.759 attacks or accidental injuries. Others considered the possibility of foul play. 187 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:01.799 The lack of concrete evidence in these disappearances has led 188 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:07.200 to numerous theories, but definitive answers remain elusive. The National 189 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:11.279 Park Service continues to investigate these cold cases, urging anyone 190 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:15.039 with information to come forward. Visitors are advised to take 191 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:20.399 necessary precautions, stay on marked trails, hike with companions, inform 192 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:24.360 others of their itineraries, and be prepared for sudden weather changes. 193 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:28.279 The beauty of the Smokies is undeniable, but it's essential 194 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:32.919 to approach its vastness with respect and caution. Great Smoky 195 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:37.960 Mountains National Park remains a cherished natural sanctuary, attracting millions 196 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:43.440 with its majestic landscapes and rich biodiversity. However, amidst its 197 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:47.679 allure lies a reminder of nature's unpredictability and the enduring 198 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:52.080 mysteries that continue to perplex and haunt us. Now, let's 199 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:55.240 step into the unknown and examine the first case, the 200 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:59.279 disappearance of Dennis Martin. It was Father's Day weekend in 201 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:02.720 nineteen sixty and the Martin family had planned a camping 202 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:06.519 trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a place 203 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:10.279 of lush forests and rolling hills. Six year old Dennis 204 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:13.519 Martin was a lively and energetic boy, excited to be 205 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:17.000 in the wilderness with his family. On June fourteenth, at 206 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:20.399 a popular camping site known as Spence Field, Dennis and 207 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:23.480 his brother were playing with two other children from another family. 208 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:26.720 The boys decided to play a prank on the adults, 209 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.960 hiding behind the bushes and jumping out to scare them. 210 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:33.159 It was all in good fun. The plan was for 211 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:35.919 Dennis to circle around the brush and surprise the group 212 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:40.360 from behind, but Dennis never came back. His family immediately 213 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:45.000 started searching, calling out his name. Within minutes, panic set 214 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:48.480 in The area was thoroughly combed by campers and later 215 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.480 by park rangers, but there was no sign of Dennis. 216 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:56.240 Within hours, hundreds of searchers, including green berets, FBI agents, 217 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:00.360 and local volunteers scoured the forest, yet the little boy 218 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:04.519 had vanished into thin air. Strangely, on the same afternoon, 219 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:07.600 a family reported hearing an ear piercing scream in the 220 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:10.559 woods about a mile away from where Dennis was last seen. 221 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:14.480 Another witness, a park visitor, claimed to have seen a 222 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:18.399 disheveled bear like man carrying something over his shoulder heading 223 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:22.080 deeper into the forest. These chilling accounts led some to 224 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:25.320 speculate that Dennis may have been abducted rather than simply 225 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:29.720 wandering off. Dennis Lloyd Martin was born on June twentieth, 226 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:33.639 nineteen sixty two, to William Clyde Martin and his wife Violet. 227 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:38.559 A quiet and reserved child, Dennis had a slight developmental delay, 228 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:42.320 placing his mental age about half a year behind his peers. 229 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:47.879 Despite this, he was active and adventurous, cherishing outdoor activities, 230 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:52.000 especially those involving his family. The Martins had a tradition 231 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:55.240 of celebrating Father's Day with camping trips, and the nineteen 232 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:59.960 sixty nine excursion was no exception. Stay tuned for more 233 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:03.159 sasquatch Ottes see. We'll be right back after these messages. 234 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:10.679 On June thirteenth, nineteen sixty nine, Dennis, his father, William, 235 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:14.039 his grandfather Clyde, and his nine year old brother Douglas 236 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:17.000 embarked on a camping trip in the Great Smoky Mountains 237 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:20.559 National Park. They began their hike from Cade's Cove to 238 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:25.679 Russell Field, camping overnight. The following day, they continued to Spencefield, 239 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:29.679 a highland meadow along the Appalachian Trail, intending to spend 240 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:34.279 the night there. At approximately four thirty PM on June fourteenth, 241 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:37.320 while at spence Field, Dennis and his brother met two 242 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:41.039 other boys from another family. The children decided to play 243 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:44.159 a prank on the adults by hiding separately and then 244 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:48.600 simultaneously jumping out to startle them. Dennis, wearing a bright 245 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:51.960 red T shirt, green shorts, and low cut Oxford shoes, 246 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:55.639 was instructed to hide behind a bush. The other boys 247 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:59.440 executed the prank successfully, but when Dennis's turn came, he 248 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:03.759 was nowhere to be found. William Martin immediately began searching 249 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:06.600 for his son, calling out his name and scouring the 250 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:11.600 nearby area. After about twenty minutes without success, panic set in. 251 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:16.480 Clyde Martin, Dennis's grandfather, hurried down the trail toward Cade's 252 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:19.679 Cove to seek help, covering nearly six miles to reach 253 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:23.799 the ranger station by eight thirty PM. Park rangers promptly 254 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:27.200 initiated a search operation that would soon escalate into one 255 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:30.440 of the most extensive in the park's history. The search 256 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:35.120 for Dennis Martin mobilized an unprecedented number of resources. Over 257 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:38.399 the course of two weeks. Approximately one thoy four hundred 258 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:43.759 people participated, including park rangers, National Guard troops, special forces 259 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:48.080 such as the Green Berets, and countless volunteers. The search 260 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:51.440 area spanned around fifty six square miles of rugged terrain 261 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:57.320 characterized by steep slopes, dense underbrush, and deep ravines. The 262 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:02.159 operation faced numerous challenges. Shortly after Dennis's disappearance, a heavy 263 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:05.680 downpour ensued, dropping three inches of rain in a matter 264 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:09.720 of hours. This not only hampered visibility, but also washed 265 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:14.359 away potential clues and made trails treacherous. Temperatures that night 266 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:18.759 dropped to nearly fifty degrees fahrenheit, raising concerns about hypothermia, 267 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:23.240 especially for a young child without shelter. Despite the vast 268 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:27.240 man power, the search faced coordination issues. The sheer number 269 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:31.599 of volunteers, many untrained in search and rescue operations, led 270 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:35.880 to concerns about trampling over evidence. Footprints were discovered, but 271 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:39.039 were dismissed by officials who believed they belonged to a 272 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:43.519 boy scout involved in the search. However, some trackers, including 273 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:48.359 retired park ranger and expert tracker Dwight Macarter believed the footprints, 274 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:51.759 which indicated one foot was barefoot while the other wore 275 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:56.039 an Oxford or tennis shoe, could have been Denis's. Amid 276 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:59.200 the search efforts, a potential lead emerged from another family 277 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:03.400 visiting the park. The Key family from Carthage, Tennessee, reported 278 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:07.640 hearing an enormous, sickening scream around five pm on the 279 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:11.440 day Denis disappeared. Shortly after, they claimed to have seen 280 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:14.519 a disheveled, rough looking man running up a trail near 281 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:18.000 where the scream had originated. The individual appeared to be 282 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:21.319 attempting to remain unseen, and was spotted in an area 283 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:25.480 approximately five miles from Spence Field. This account led to 284 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:29.519 speculation that Dennis might have been abducted. However, the Federal 285 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:33.400 Bureau of Investigation and park rangers found insufficient evidence to 286 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:37.240 link the sighting to Dennis's disappearance. The distance between the 287 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:40.799 locations and the challenging terrain made it unlikely that Dennis 288 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:44.359 could have covered such ground in that time frame. Moreover, 289 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:48.799 the report came five weeks after the incident, diminishing its reliability. 290 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:53.720 Several theories have been proposed regarding Dennis Martin's disappearance. The 291 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:56.759 most widely accepted theory is that Dennis wandered away from 292 00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:00.200 the group, became lost and succumbed to the elements, or 293 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:04.960 an accident in the challenging terrain. The heavy rain, dropping temperatures, 294 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:09.400 and dense forest could have disoriented him, leading to fatal consequences. 295 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:13.279 Another possibility is that Dennis was attacked and carried off 296 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:16.039 by a wild animal, such as a black bear or 297 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:20.359 a feral pig, both of which inhabit the park. However, 298 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:23.599 no signs of an animal attack, such as blood or 299 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:28.519 torn clothing, were ever found. Some speculate that Dennis was abducted, 300 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:33.000 possibly by the rough looking man reported by the Key family. However, 301 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:36.480 there's no concrete evidence to support this theory and no 302 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:41.160 ransom demands or credible sightings followed. A less conventional theory 303 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:46.160 suggests involvement of supernatural forces or unexplained phenomena. Given the 304 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:50.559 lack of evidence and the suddenness of Denis's disappearance. However, 305 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:55.000 this remains within the realm of speculation without any supporting evidence. 306 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:59.039 Fast forward to September nineteen eighty one, and we find 307 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:02.240 ourselves once again in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 308 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:06.000 This time it's a fifty eight year old woman, Thelma 309 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:11.319 Pauline Melton, who would vanish under mysterious circumstances. Thelma, an 310 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:15.000 experienced hiker familiar with the trails, was enjoying an afternoon 311 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:18.240 hike on the Deep Creek Trail with two friends. It 312 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:21.480 was a route she had hiked many times before. As 313 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.119 they strolled through the woods, Thelma walked slightly ahead of 314 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:26.920 the others. She rounded a small bend in the trail, 315 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:30.880 and in an instant she was gone. Her friends expected 316 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:33.240 to see her just ahead on the path, but when 317 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:35.559 they reached the bend, there was no sign of her. 318 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:39.319 They called out her name, searched the immediate area, and 319 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:44.720 retrace their steps nothing. What makes her disappearance particularly strange 320 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.759 is that there was no logical place for her to 321 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:50.359 have gone. The terrain was not difficult, and the area 322 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:54.119 was not known for dangerous wildlife. She had no history 323 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:57.880 of wandering off or cognitive issues. A large scale search 324 00:20:57.920 --> 00:21:03.119 turned up nothing, no footprints, no clothing, no clues. It 325 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:06.599 was as if Thelma had stepped into another dimension. To 326 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:09.839 add another layer of mystery, some reports claimed that in 327 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:13.440 the days leading up to her disappearance, Thelma seemed uneasy, 328 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:17.880 as though she knew something was wrong. Her husband was devastated, 329 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:23.400 and despite exhaustive efforts, she was never found. Thelma Pauline Melton, 330 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:27.799 affectionately known as Polly, was born on February twenty sixth, 331 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:31.839 nineteen twenty three. At fifty eight years old, Polly stood 332 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:34.599 at five feet eleven inches and weighed between one hundred 333 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:38.039 seventy to one hundred eighty pounds. She had auburn hair, 334 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:42.839 brown eyes, and was a habitual wearer of eyeglasses. Known 335 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:46.000 for her vibrant personality, Polly was an active member of 336 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:49.440 her community, often volunteering at a center where she served 337 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:53.000 meals to senior citizens. She was married to Bob Melton, 338 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.839 her third husband, who was seventy eight at the time 339 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:59.480 of her disappearance. The couple had no children together, and 340 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:03.079 Bob had two grown sons from a previous marriage. They 341 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:07.079 lived primarily in Jacksonville, Florida, but for three months each fall, 342 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:10.400 they would retreat to the Deep Creek Campground, nestled within 343 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:14.599 the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. On 344 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:17.839 September twenty fifth, nineteen eighty one, Polly embarked on her 345 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:21.279 routine hike along the Deep Creek Trail with two friends, 346 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:25.640 Red and Trula. This trail was familiar territory for Polly, 347 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:28.480 as she had traversed at numerous times over the past 348 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:32.720 two decades. The hike began around three pm, with Polly 349 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:36.839 initially walking at a slower pace than usual, prompting lighthearted 350 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:40.200 teasing from her companions. As they made their way back 351 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:45.440 toward the campground, Polly unexpectedly quickened her pace, overtaking her friends. 352 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:48.000 She rounded a bend in the trail and vanished from 353 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:51.440 their sight. Assuming she had returned to the campground ahead 354 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:55.480 of them, Red and Trula continued at their own pace. However, 355 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:59.200 upon arrival at the campground around four thirty PM, they 356 00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:03.079 discovered that po Polly was nowhere to be found. Her husband, Bob, 357 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:06.240 who had remained at their airstream trailer, had not seen 358 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:09.799 her since she left for the hike. Immediate concern prompted 359 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:12.880 Polly's friends and other campers to retrace their steps along 360 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:16.559 the trail, calling out her name and inquiring with other hikers, 361 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:19.759 but no one had seen her. After two hours of 362 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:23.200 fruitless searching, they reported her disappearance to park rangers at 363 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:28.480 approximately six PM. A large scale search operation ensued, involving 364 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:34.400 park rangers, volunteers, bloodhounds, and helicopters. Despite the extensive efforts, 365 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:37.640 no trace of Polly was ever found. Polly had a 366 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:40.319 history of high blood pressure and nausea, for which she 367 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:44.200 was on medication. Notably, she did not have her medications 368 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:47.640 with her at the time of her disappearance. Additionally, she 369 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:50.799 was a heavy smoker, reportedly consuming up to two packs 370 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:55.519 of Virginia Slim cigarettes daily. Despite these health concerns, Polly 371 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:59.559 was an experienced hiker familiar with the local trails. Several 372 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:04.200 peculiar factors have fueled various theories regarding Polly's disappearance. On 373 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:07.519 the day she vanished, Polly deviated from her routine by 374 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:11.319 deciding against volunteering at the Senior Center, an activity she 375 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:17.200 seldom missed. Additionally, her abrupt acceleration on the trail was uncharacteristic, 376 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:21.920 especially considering her earlier slower pace. Bob Milton noticed that 377 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:26.440 his Valiant prescription was missing after Polly's disappearance, raising questions 378 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:29.759 about whether she had taken the medication with her. Polly 379 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:32.960 was reportedly grieving her mother's recent death and had possibly 380 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:37.359 experienced minor bouts of depression. Her minister speculated about a 381 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:42.519 potential affair, although no evidence supports this claim. A supervisor 382 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:45.119 at the Senior Center noted that Polly made an unusual 383 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:48.440 phone call the day before she disappeared, a departure from 384 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:52.559 her typical behavior. Months after her disappearance, a check bearing 385 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:57.720 Polly's name was reportedly cashed in Birmingham, Alabama. Investigators followed 386 00:24:57.720 --> 00:25:00.839 this lead, but it did not yield any conclude usive information. 387 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:05.240 Given the lack of evidence, several theories have emerged. Some 388 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:07.720 speculate that Polly may have chosen to leave her life 389 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:11.559 behind due to personal reasons such as marital stress or 390 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:15.200 a desire for a fresh start. Considering her health issues, 391 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:19.079 its possible Polly experienced a sudden medical crisis leading her 392 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:23.759 off the trail. However, extensive searches yielded no evidence supporting 393 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:27.680 this scenario. While there's no direct evidence of foul play, 394 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:30.920 the suddenness of her disappearance has led some to consider 395 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:35.599 this possibility. The disappearance of Thelma Pauline Melton remains one 396 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:39.240 of the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks most enduring mysteries. 397 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:43.839 Despite exhaustive search efforts and numerous theories, no trace of 398 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:46.960 her has ever been found, leaving her fate unknown and 399 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:51.279 her case unsolved. On the crisp autumn morning of October eighth, 400 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:55.200 nineteen seventy six, sixteen year old Teresa Trenny Lynn Gibson 401 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:58.480