The Most HORRIFIC Crime in Appalachian Trail History... 

In 1982(?) Molly LaRue, then a High School Senior, had entered a contest to design a family unity postage stamp, her design won and was produced by the United States Postal Service, a twenty cent stamp issued October 1, 1984

I think people always look for motive when it's more about opportunity for some killers. RIP travellers

12:34 boy.. how nerve wracking that must’ve been.. you and your significant buddy find two other significant buddies, quite very slain, then you gotta walk back to wherever society is established well enough to reach the authorities, all the while wondering where the buddy slayer may be. How truly horrific.

Murder in its own is abhorrent but women in these situations almost always get twice the nightmare compared to their male companions by having to suffer the violation of assault. It’s absolutely disgusting

FYI.. I'm 70 years old and when i was a kid,, 12 was a normal age for a boy to carry a knife. Cub Scouts carry knives. Nothing wrong with that. Its a survival tool.

Kyle, thanks for shedding light on this dreadful but important aspect of hiking on the AT. I'm from that area of PA and have hiked through this very portion of the trail several times. People in those hills are like Darlene in Ozark, with their own code and they follow it rigidly. Best advice: go with your gut if you feel uneasy, get out of a place; don't hike there alone and always let someone know you're going somewhere. Bring a properly charged phone.

What about justice for the hairdresser he killed? Was there never any trial? And this guy has all the hallmarks of a serial killer. There should be some serious investigation into unsolved cases in the areas where he lived or traveled.

As a thoroughbred Londoner I will never be a thru hiker or have any desire to hike in these places but your channel is simply captivating. Thanks for the great work you do!

What a terrible and horrific crime. Be safe out there!

My wife and I through hiked in 98 and spent several nights in shelters with lone males. These men were complete strangers, not having met while hiking. They all seemed nice enough but my take away is that we could have been victims of a mentally ill person. An "event" happened in Penn. also in 98. We arrived at a shelter(can't remember) and it was a bit odd that someone had left kindling, firewood as well as an odd assortment of news papers and magazine.We thought trail maintainers had done so. I'm not a "believer in ghosts" type person but my wife and I had a creepy feeling about the shelter, beyond the things we found there. No one showed up. We left the next morning as usual. My wife was on the ATC board at the time so later that week she called a lady she knew who worked with the local trail crew. The lady said a young couple had been murdered at the shelter and there were plans to tear it down and rebuild. We also met several men who I though acted oddly along the way. They were not aggressive but my gut told me to move on. I'm sorry I don't remember the shelter in Penn. but I believe it was north of Duncannon. If anyone has some information about this I would appreciate more information. Personally, I don't believe you can prevent all tragedies but I think precautions are important. If I were to hike the AT again, I would not hike alone nor would I stay in shelters. I would "stealth" camp as much as possible. I would also take a "mace type" spray. Picking a hiking partner takes a lot of thought. The wrong partner can ruin a trip. Thanks Kyle.

Horrific. Sending prayers of peace to the families suffering from the loss of their children.

You're an excellent presenter and happy I found your channel. Thank you for being you!

Hey Kyle, my daughter Megan (BAG) ran into you on the PCT in No Cal yesterday. She was pretty excited to see you out there. Mom and I watch all your videos and love the true crime stuff you are doing Shawn

I’ve been carrying mace and a knife since I was 21. Not just hiking but walking in the city. Working nights I often end up walking my myself late and night and have been followed multiple times. Nothing says “not an easy victim”like flipping your concealed blade open when someone has been following you and inching closer and closer. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Better to have protection and not need it than need it and not have it.

been loving the new content kyle!!! it's been amazing to see you grow so much lately! so so so happy for you 😁🫶🏻

I did this section plus 200 miles when I was 13 in 1999. Still to this day the most beautiful hiking I have ever done. The adults we met along the way were great and gave us food and trail names. I faced my fear of heights and jumped off a cliff into a lake thing below. It changed me.. To think this happened there is just so sad. Those poor people.. The people ive loved like that I can't imagine helplessly watching them get killed as I die too. Awful cold world.

This one hit me a little harder. I was the same age at that time and could have easily decided to hike the AT. Instead I traveled overseas and did Peace Corps. Something that was probably a tad more dangerous. Yet here I am, in my 50s, having a pretty good life. But they never got that chance.

Great video Kyle, thank you for sharing it. That was a real tragedy. Stay safe out there.

Great coverage! Unbelievable horrible story. Just unreal how crazy some people are. I've told this story myself and it's just awful. I appreciate you continuing the story, and honestly like you I can't believe how these things happen:(

Great video Kyle. Comments are kinda goofy but I'm sure you're used to that by now lmao

Carrying a firearm and a knife is not unreasonable, in fact, its wise to carry both hiking, camping or similar. Kids having a knife, especially in the 60's, 70's and 80's was not uncommon.

I know what you're saying but also, it's not illegal in most places to carry a pistol and a knife

Maybe you've already done a video on him, but what about "Sovereign" (I think that's what he went by)? He was arrested before the murder and attempted murder after some AT hikers reported his threatening behavior to the local sheriff. Problem was none of the hikers was willing to come back and testify at his preliminary hearing because they needed to finish the AT. As a result he was let go, and was free to murder. I hope those hikers think about their selfishness for the rest of their lives.

The time frame of his military 'service' put this guy in the Vietnam war. I seriously hope he wasn't overseas, because he probably did even worse things there.

So sad!!!! Not sure I ever will hike the AT but I agree on your statement that trails are safer that walking down a city street

This is such a sad story. Im glad I found your channel and ty you for sharing this with us. May the couple rest in peace 🕊️ and my condolences to the families its just awful that they will never have closure for their deaths but hopefully they will find peace that they are together. ❤🙏😢❤️🙏🕊️

I'm from Hershey area and grew up backpacking, especially that stretch of the AT. My scout troop stayed at that shelter a few tines, and each time, we held a moment of silence. That was a big even for us even 6 years later.

Duncannon seems to be one of those spots where…you keep going until you drop and then keep going some more. A couple years ago a woman ran into some unsavory characters in that town and she kept running into them. So a couple helped bring her further down the trail so she could hike in and away from them. In the early 80’s another couple were murdered in which there was a boom written, Murder On The Appalachian Trail.

Life in prison, to me, is an odd concept. Someone, for instance, takes another person or persons life or lives, then gets to live another 30+ years themselves. Eating, reading, watching tv, playing video games, interacting with other people, talking to relatives and loved ones, maybe not exactly enjoying life to the fullest extent, but still living and not all too terribly at that. All the while someone out there is still hurting over their missing loved ones.... Sure, being confined to a cell or a building in general does suck, I’ve been there myself. But it’s also super easy considering there are no bills you have to pay (without mentioning any debt wracked up with other inmates), no job to get to, no kids to pick up, no pets to maintain. Nothing. To the right person, life imprisonment after a heinous crime has been committed is basically like sending a kid to their room in this day and age-that’s where all the toys and free time is. And trust me on that too, as I’ve seen many men who were all too happy to be back inside. You’d be surprised how many people in prison are literally right were they want to be. I think granting someone life for having taken a life themselves is a tragic oversight.

Tough crowd in the comments section. Sad story, well told, keep it up.

Kyle, great video about this very sad chapter of AT history. I actually live in Salina, KS, the town where Molly and Geoff met. You score maximum points for pronouncing "Salina" correctly! (everyone not from Kansas always says "Sa-leen-a" [which, yes, is probably how it should be pronounced if it was a Spanish name]) I'm rather surprised that 30 years ago there was this church group here that did the young people wilderness treks ministry, as we don't really have what most people would call "wilderness areas" or "backcountry" around here. Yes, we have lots of grasslands, hills, nature, but not really classic outdoor trekking areas. We are however, just a 7 hour drive west on I-70 to the Colorado Rockies 😉

Look into the murder of two Appalachian Trail hikers in 1981. I was on the trail just behind them, a little south of Pearisburg, Virginia. They did catch the murderer.

12 year olds having pocketknives is pretty damn normal.

This is why we continue to have people like this. Always changing to life in prison…hopefully they pulled his paperwork and knew he did a sexual offense. They don’t take kindly to that in prison. No women, no children. This guy was all the way bad.

This is all very interesting! I love your content. Keep up the amazing work!

I am one of the 20% who have subscribed. The "other 80%" need to lift their game...To my fellow 20 percent-ers ~ We are legends 😂🇦🇺

You do a remarkable job my friend. I just discovered your site a short while ago and all of your episodes along with your amazing commentaries are extra ordinary.

So one point - although its rare to have an incident like this on the AT, there is noone there to help you, noone to call. At least in the city you can call 911, scream and usually someone will hear you.(Yes I know there are people who wont get involved but many will.)

Stay strapped. Just to be clear, here in the South, it isnt uncommon for a 12yr old to have a knife. We usually get them from our parents or family when they think we're old enough.

Thanks for covering the story!

I feel like when it comes to hiking, those of us without guns are always at a disadvantage. I always carry bear mase, a knife, and small cast iron frying pan (usually for backpacking adventures) lol its not only people we need to watch out for. Sometimes the wildlife is unpredictable.

There is no way to avoid an encounter with a killer on the trails, but you can control the outcome of the encounter if you are armed, trained and confident. Even mace or pepper spray give you a chance.

I’ve told all my hiker friends about your videos! So much good information. ❤️

I came back to watch this after you mentioned an update in your newer video. My hearts go out to their families.

I’m an avid hiker and always carry a gun in a front fanny-pack holster that is open so I can quickly get to it.

That's so sad I would never hike the Appalachian trail it's to dangerous Part of it runs through my hometown and people are mean on that trail

You had me until "having a knife at 12" When I was twelve, in the 80s, almost all boys had knives. I used to sharpen my pencils at school with one. We had hunters ed in school and we brought our guns to class to clean. This was no big deal. It's sad how our society is now such a bunch of pansies that a 12 yr old boy having a knife is looked at as some kind of indication of mental illness. As far as the rest of the video, good work.

Very sad. Thanks for sharing

I don't hike or even plan in it. I woke up to one of ur videos and it caught my attention so I restarted it and been enjoying ur channel all day ☺️ I'm so happy I accidentally stumbled on to ur channel its awesome 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿❤

Love the content Kyle

It took them 12 years to finally decide to tear down that shelter? I would have thought that would have been done right away.

I really have to stop watching these right before bed 😮 There probably was no motive for him to kill them. He just did it. He obviously had the weapons for something, and he'd done it before. No reason, they were just there, like you said, wrong place, wrong time. 😢

How sad that we cannot even say r#p* when discussing crimes, but these vicious criminals assault others in this hideous way every day.

Since I’ve had my kids they have always been with us when we go camping. Since they were young. So when it’s time for bed I am so exhausted I don’t fall asleep I pass out usually. But the last time we went camping in North Carolina I couldn’t fall asleep. I love nature and am very used to all kinds of different animals walking around when we finally lay down for bed and put the fire out. But this night everything made as much noise as it could. I swear some of the animals were doing it on purpose! I was so upset I knew my kids would be getting me up before the sun. All I wanted was to sleep. I was literally begging God to help me but I just couldn’t sleep the sounds were just so weird and honestly scary!! Finally I gave up and just sat up opened my window on my tent and just watched. After a few minuets I noticed what all the noise was. There was a beautiful 8 point buck with a female and 2 fawns walking around my camp site. I was literally in tears. The way they snorted and moved around. It was really why I love camping so much. I was reminded that night/day that I am not alone out there it is not my usual environment and I need to respect the animals that call it there home. Since then (2009) I always love to lay in my tent and listen when I can’t sleep to the crickets and the beautiful sounds at night. Still not used to the spiders and snakes but I wouldn’t change anything about nature!! ❤❤

Hike the Great Divide Trail in Canadian Rockies, nobody has ever been murdered there!

I am really sorry to hear about all these victims of extraordinary nature of America. So much land with amazing life on it. Makes it easy to commit crime. It must be impossible to keep an eye on everyone

Many, many hikers, both day and long distance hikers carry a pistol and/or a large knife - legally in Pennsylvania. I've see everything from machetes and loaded drop-leg military holsters to Glocks laying among camping gear at a campsite. For those unaware, it's not something to panic about if the person is not being threatening or crazy. It's probably just a PA guy carrying "protection".

Ya the Appalachia… well everything is a no go for me. To much weird shit happens there. Wild people, disappearances, murders, no thank you…..

Found your channel through the YT shorts..just subscribed =)

May they rest in peaceful sleep together for always 🙏 ❤😢

Oh no, I can not believe that man lived in Loris, SC lol. That's messed up

The biggest danger aren't animals it's people. It's not popular but this why I carry a gun.

It is so sad that there are evil people like that in this world .

Great job Kyle!! Nailgun

7:00 >"when he was only twelve the cops caught him carrying a knife on his belt, which is not a good sign" silly, me and every single male kid I knew carried knives at that age. I didn't grow up in a city, though.

Tragic story. Well told. However, odd background music.

OK - I’ve been carrying a knife in my pocket or on my belt since I was about 6 - over 55 years - I don’t see the issue with it. It’s easy to apply an after-the-fact label to a behavior, but there was nothing out of the ordinary about that…

You are the most non judgmental person ever. So kind! I however am not! This guys is one sick puppy! I’d be happy to finish the job he attempted with his first attempt on his life! Had he taken himself OUT, all the sorrow and pulverizing grief he caused could have been adverted. You sir, are way too nice, I’m not! A very old uneducated woodsman in Alabama once told me “ There are just people who need killin’”. Wise words from an unschooled man💕 The older you get, the less forgiving you are of Madmen!

We all agree that this was a tragedy, but carrying a belt knife is not a bad sign.

So frightening.

God bless the loved ones of this couple.

As someone who watches quite a bit of true crime content, a good way to describe what you struggled to is to say "R worded" or "SA'D" pronounced (ess aid)

I carry a knife in my bra and I carry pepper gel. If I lived in a less lefty state I would carry a firearm as well. I wouldn't say that him having a knife was cause for concern.

Hello 👋 I enjoy your channel 😊 and I'm a subscriber 👍 Who would think going on a hike you could be murdered 😮 is no place left that is spared from such horror 🤔

Unfortunately in 2020 the bar and restaurant was closed at the Doyle. It was really rundown but it was a cool time there. Very interesting building and i wondered about it's hayday as well.

Your editing is given me anxiety..lol..one sentence at a time!!..lol

Hurt people hurt people.

222k !?!?! wtf I space off for like a couple months and BOOM. Yes! You deserve this dude. some sweet gear you might not know about or might not have made a vid about which are sick: outdoor edge knives, grayl ti. through hiking all that is a big market, prepping and general preparedness is waaay bigger imho

Duncannon in itself is just run down. Idk about hikers but as far as anyone else traveling in a car on 322... they only know where Duncannon is because of the Clarks Ferry Sheetz.

I never knew he was from Signal Mtn. That’s my stomping ground

Are you going to do a video on Julian Sands?

On a significantly lighter note. As a Kansan, I'm happy to hear someone pronounce Salina correctly.

Why does YT have a problem with a content creator saying the word "raped"? that certainly throws a wrench in true crime content. I dont get it.

All I have say is when someone gives you that creepy vibe…listen.

"You know whatted" could be "assaulted her dead body." I think RU-vid might be ok with that. And, my grandmother's maiden name was Thema Marks (not the one the shelter was named after), but other than the horrific nature of the crime, that makes me sad too.

No such thing as wrong time wrong place, people should be able to go anywhere unmolested.

So heartbreaking.

Thanks Kyle

Is there some music in the background? Lol it's distracting lol love your vids tho 😎

Great save, u saying the safety on the trail is better then walking the street. All your stories come down to Death on this trail, making it scary. Being my age now, back in the day spent Alot of time in the mountains/woods camping or hiking makes me think.

I don’t understand why anyone would venture into such a remote area without protection to defend themselves against people like this who seem to be everywhere, and animals that want to eat you.

Kyle , after I watched one of your videos, I subscribed!

I love hearing your stories!

0:48 1990 ? Wearing combat boots and a flannel ? That was a very popular trend in what people wore during the days of grunge. Just saying

He probably killed them simply for their possessions and because he was just a bloodthirsty maniac… He’d have no problem ending the lives of young people just starting out in life over some measly supplies. Truly tragic 😢

When he was 12 years old that's awful I had a 410 single shot shotgun when I was 12 years old

1:48 if you want to skip the intro that gives a bunch of spoilers. Love the content, but intros to short pieces are a huge pet peeve for me.

@ Kyle Hates Hiking Have you done a video of the murder of Rebecca Wight in 1988? If not you may want to look into the case.

that was horrible but it wasn't the most horrific crime on appalachian trail. there was another crime involving the double rape and murder of two lesbians--julie williams and lollie winans--in 1996, in shenandoah natl park. i count that one as the worst because there were two women raped and murdered. but both crimes were very sad.