For privacy reasons, names and places have been changed. This story is inspired by true events. On the morning of June 12th, 2009, 17-year-old Jenna Coleman, 18-year-old Megan Porter, and 17-year-olds Evan Hollis and Leah Jacobs left their hotel in Yellowstone National Park. They never returned. Despite an extensive search involving park rangers, local law enforcement, and the FBI, the four high school friends vanished without a trace.
For 13 years, their families lived with agonizing uncertainty, grappling with rumors of cults and kidnappings. Then, in the spring of 2022, a park maintenance worker made a chilling discovery near a dormant geyser. This is the complete investigation into what happened to Jenna, Megan, Evan, and Leah. Before we continue, let us know where you’re watching from, and if you enjoy this content, consider liking and subscribing to our channel. Now, let’s continue.
The summer of 2009 held the promise of boundless freedom for Jenna Coleman, Megan Porter, Evan Hollis, and Leah Jacobs. High school graduation marked a pivotal moment in their young lives, and a celebratory trip to Yellowstone National Park was the perfect sendoff before college scattered them across the country.
Jenna, the artist of the group, saw the world through a vibrant lens, capturing its beauty in her sketchbooks. Megan, the pragmatic one, organized the trip with meticulous detail, ensuring every itinerary item was checked off. Evan, the free spirit, embraced adventure with open arms, always eager to explore the unknown. And Leah, the quiet observer, documented their experiences through the lens of her camera, preserving memories with a quiet intensity.
They were a tight-knit group, their individual personalities blending to create a dynamic and enduring friendship. Yellowstone, with its vast wilderness and geothermal wonders, seemed the ideal backdrop for their last harrah. Their arrival at the park was marked by youthful exuberance. The towering pines, the bubbling mud pots, and the sheer scale of the landscape filled them with awe.
The first few days were a whirlwind of sightseeing, hiking established trails, and capturing countless photos. They marveled at Old Faithful, hiked to scenic overlooks, and swapped stories around crackling campfires under a canopy of stars. The park, teameming with wildlife and natural wonders, offered an escape from the pressures of their everyday lives.
On the morning of July 18th, the group decided to venture off the established trails, drawn by the allure of the less explored geyser basins. They packed light, carrying water bottles, a map, and a compass. Confident in their ability to navigate the back country, they were last seen by a group of hikers near the Ferry Falls trail head.
Their laughter echoing through the trees as they disappeared into the dense undergrowth. As the day wore on and the sun began to set, concern grew at the campsite. Their planned return time came and went, and their friends, initially unconcerned by the delay, began to feel a sense of unease. Darkness fell and with it a chilling realization that something was wrong.
The initial search efforts were hampered by the vastness of the park and the rugged terrain. Park rangers aided by volunteers and the families of the missing teens combed the area around the Ferry Falls trail head, their calls echoing through the silent forest. Dogs were brought in to track the scent.
Helicopters buzzed overhead and search parties on horseback ventured deep into the wilderness. Days turned into weeks and the initial hope of finding the teens alive began to dwindle. The media descended upon the park, transforming the search into a national news story. Speculation ran rampant with theories ranging from accidental falls and wild animal attacks to more sinister possibilities involving cults and kidnappings.
The families, clinging to hope, endured the agonizing weight, their lives thrown into turmoil by the sudden and inexplicable disappearance of their children. The disappearance of Jenna, Megan, Evan, and Leah triggered a massive investigation led by the Park County Sheriff’s Department. The initial focus was on the area surrounding the Ferry Falls trail head, the last known location of the teens.
Search teams meticulously grid searched the dense forest, scouring the rugged terrain for any sign of the missing group. The sheer size of Yellowstone National Park, encompassing over 2.2 million acres, presented a formidable challenge. The diverse landscape, ranging from dense forests and steep canyons to vast meadows and geothermal areas, made the search incredibly complex.
The lack of any concrete evidence, such as footprints, clothing, or personal belongings, further hampered the investigation. Investigators explored several theories in the early stages. Wild animal attacks, although rare in the park, were considered a possibility. The area was known to be home to grizzly bears and wolves.
And while attacks on humans were uncommon, they couldn’t be ruled out. Accidental falls were another possibility, given the uneven terrain and the presence of numerous thermal features. The possibility of foul play, though initially considered less likely, was also investigated. Investigators interviewed other park visitors, reviewed surveillance footage from nearby areas, and checked park registries for any suspicious individuals or vehicles.
Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Olsen, one of the lead investigators on the case, recalled the immense pressure to find answers. We were working around the clock, following every lead, exhausting every possibility, he stated. The families were desperate for information. The media was clamoring for updates and we felt the weight of the entire nation watching us.
The initial search efforts, however, yielded no significant breakthroughs. The lack of progress fueled public speculation and added to the family’s anguish. Theories about the teen’s disappearance began to circulate online, ranging from alien abductions to elaborate conspiracies. The media frenzy, while bringing attention to the case, also contributed to the spread of misinformation and hindered the investigation.
As weeks turned into months, the intensity of the search gradually diminished. The resources allocated to the case were scaled back and the number of personnel involved decreased. The investigation shifted from a search and rescue operation to a missing person’s case. Investigators continued to follow up on any new leads that emerged, but the trail had gone cold.
The families, though devastated, refused to give up hope. They organized their own searches, hired private investigators, and maintained a constant presence in the media, pleading for anyone with information to come forward. The case, however, remained unsolved, a haunting mystery that cast a long shadow over the park and the lives of those affected.
The relentless search for Jenna, Megan, Evan, and Leah gradually wound down as the months of 2010 bled into years. The initial flurry of activity, the constant presence of search teams and media crews, faded, leaving an eerie quiet in its wake. The park, once the focal point of a nationwide search, returned to its natural rhythm.
The seasons changing, the wildlife continuing its timeless cycles. But for the families, the silence was deafening. The unanswered questions, the lack of closure became a heavy burden they carried everyday. For Sarah Coleman, Jenna’s mother, the passing of time did little to ease the pain. She kept Jenna’s room untouched, a poignant shrine to her daughter’s vibrant spirit.
Birthdays and holidays were marked by a bittersweet mix of remembrance and grief. Sarah became a vocal advocate for missing persons, channeling her grief into action, determined to keep her daughter’s memory alive and to help other families facing similar tragedies. Megan’s parents, John and Mary Porter, found solace in their shared grief, their bond strengthened by the unbearable loss.
They established a scholarship fund in Megan’s name, a way to honor her academic achievements and her dreams of a bright future. Evan’s father, David Hollis, struggled with the unanswered questions. the not knowing gnaring at his soul. He revisited the park every year, walking the trails, searching for a sign, a clue, anything that could shed light on what happened to his son.
Leah’s mother, Elizabeth Jacobs, found comfort in her faith, believing that Leah was at peace. She created a memorial garden in her backyard, a place of quiet reflection where she could feel close to her daughter. The case files, thick with reports, interviews, and photographs, were archived, gathering dust on a shelf in the Park County Sheriff’s Department.
The leads had dried up, the tips had dwindled, and the investigation had reached an impass. The case, officially designated as a cold case, was not forgotten, but it was relegated to the back burner, a tragic reminder of a mystery that may never be solved. The advancements in forensic science during the intervening years, however, offered a glimmer of hope.
DNA technology had become more sophisticated, allowing for the analysis of degraded samples. New techniques in crime scene investigation and digital forensics held the potential to unlock clues that were previously inaccessible. Lieutenant Tyler Monroe, a seasoned investigator with a reputation for cracking cold cases, joined the Park County Sheriff’s Department in 2021.
He had a keen interest in unsolved mysteries, a relentless drive to seek justice for victims and their families. He reviewed the Coleman, Porter, Hollis, and Jacob’s case file, pouring over the details, searching for any overlooked clues. He was struck by the lack of concrete evidence, the sheer number of dead ends, and the unwavering determination of the families.
He felt a growing sense of responsibility, a commitment to bring closure to this long-standing tragedy. Little did he know that a chance discovery a year later would reignite the investigation and bring him face to face with the dark secrets hidden within the vast wilderness of Yellowstone National Park. In the spring of 2022, a park maintenance worker named Dale Peterson was clearing debris near a dormant geyser in a remote section of Yellowstone’s back country.
The area, known as the Obsidian Creek thermal area, was off the beaten path, rarely visited by tourists. Peterson was removing fallen branches and rocks that had accumulated over the winter when he noticed a weathered backpack wedged between two large boulders near the geyser’s vent. The backpack, faded and torn, appeared to have been there for a considerable amount of time.
Intrigued, Peterson retrieved the backpack and examined its contents. Inside, beneath a layer of decaying leaves and pine needles, he found several items. A tattered student ID card bearing the name Jenna Coleman, a partially burned journal, a broken compass, and a small tarnished silver locket. The discovery sent a jolt of recognition through him.
He vaguely remembered the news reports from years earlier about the missing teenagers. Could this be theirs? Peterson immediately reported his find to park authorities. The backpack and its contents were transported to the Park County Sheriff’s Department where they were carefully examined. The student ID, though damaged, was confirmed to belong to Jenna Coleman.
The other items, including the partially burned journal and the broken compass, were also consistent with the belongings of the missing teenagers. The silver locket engraved with the initials LJ was later identified as belonging to Leah Jacobs. The discovery of the backpack after more than a decade reignited the investigation into the disappearance of Jenna Coleman, Meghan Porter, Evan Hollis, and Leah Jacobs.
The news spread quickly, rekindling the hopes of the families and capturing the attention of the media once again. Lieutenant Tyler Monroe, who had recently joined the Park County Sheriff’s Department, was assigned to lead the reopened investigation. He recognized the significance of the discovery and approached the case with a fresh perspective.
He assembled a team of investigators and forensic specialists determined to utilize the latest technology and investigative techniques to unravel the mystery. The recovered items were meticulously analyzed. The partially burned journal, though severely damaged, offered tantalizing clues. Some of the legible entries described the group’s excitement about their trip, their decision to venture off trail, and their initial encounters with the park’s geothermal features.
Other entries, however, were more cryptic, hinting at a growing sense of unease and disorientation. The broken compass, though seemingly insignificant, suggested that the group might have become lost or disoriented in the vast wilderness. The discovery of the backpack and the subsequent forensic analysis generated renewed media interest in the case.
News outlets across the country picked up the story, revisiting the details of the disappearance and speculating about the possible scenarios that led to the teen’s fate. The families, while cautiously optimistic, braced themselves for the emotional roller coaster that the renewed investigation would undoubtedly bring.
The discovery of the backpack, while a significant breakthrough, was just the beginning. Lieutenant Monroe knew that the road to uncovering the truth would be long and arduous, filled with challenges and unforeseen obstacles. He was determined, however, to find the answers that had eluded investigators for so long and to finally bring closure to the families who had endured years of unanswered questions and unbearable grief.
Lieutenant Tyler Monroe approached the reopened investigation with a meticulous and methodical approach. Unlike the initial investigators in 2009, Monroe had access to advanced forensic techniques and a wealth of data accumulated over the years. He began by revisiting the original case files, meticulously reviewing every report, interview transcript, and piece of evidence.
He sought to understand the initial investigation’s strengths and weaknesses, searching for any overlooked clues or unexplored avenues. Monroe believed that a fresh perspective, unburdened by the pressures and assumptions of the initial investigation, could potentially yield new insights. The recovered items from the backpack were sent to the state crime lab for further analysis.
The partially burned journal underwent a painstaking restoration process. Forensic document examiners used specialized techniques to enhance the legible portions of the text and to decipher the charred fragments. The journal entries, while fragmented and incomplete, provided valuable glimpses into the teen’s final days.
They documented their growing fascination with the park’s geothermal features. their decision to venture off trail and their initial encounters with the back country. Later entries revealed a growing sense of disorientation and unease, suggesting that the group might have become lost or encountered unforeseen difficulties.
The broken compass analyzed by forensic experts indicated that it had been subjected to significant force, possibly indicating a struggle or a fall. The silver locket belonging to Leah Jacobs was examined for fingerprints and DNA, but the results were inconclusive due to environmental degradation. During his review of the original case files, Monroe came across a brief mention of a park ranger who had reported seeing the teens speaking with an unidentified man near the Ferry Falls trail head on the day of their disappearance. The ranger,
Claudia Shaw, had been interviewed at the time, but her statement was considered insignificant in the initial investigation. Monroe decided to reinter Ranger Shaw, hoping that her memories might offer new leads. Shaw, now retired, vividly remembered the encounter. She recalled that the teens had been asking the man about offtrail hiking routes and geothermal features.
She described the man as charismatic and knowledgeable about the park’s back country, but also noted a certain intensity in his demeanor. She remembered the man mentioning his name, Benjamin Cross, and his interest in survivalism and living off the land. Monroe’s investigation shifted focus to Benjamin Cross.
A background check revealed that Cross had a history of minor offenses, including trespassing and illegal camping in national parks. He was known to be a skilled survivalist, living off the grid for extended periods. Further investigation revealed that Cross had been living illegally within Yellowstone National Park in 2009, inhabiting a remote cabin near the Obsidian Creek thermal area, the same area where the backpack was discovered.
Surveillance was established on Cross’s known associates and locations he frequented. Interviews with individuals who knew Crossed a picture of a complex and enigmatic figure. Some described him as a harmless eccentric, a nature enthusiast who sought solitude in the wilderness. Others, however, spoke of a darker side, a controlling personality with a pension for manipulation and a fascination with esoteric rituals.
As Monroe delved deeper into Cross’s background and activities, the evidence began to mount against him. The proximity of his illegal cabin to the location where the backpack was found, his knowledge of the park’s back country, and Ranger Shaw’s recollection of the teens speaking with him, all pointed towards Cross as a person of interest.
Monroe felt a growing sense of certainty that Cross held the key to unraveling the mystery of the teen’s disappearance. The investigation was now zeroing in on Benjamin Cross, and the tension within the investigative team was palpable. They were on the verge of a breakthrough, but the final piece of the puzzle remained elusive.
The question that hung heavy in the air was whether Cross would cooperate or whether he would take the secrets of what happened to Jenna, Megan, Evan, and Leah to his grave. The interrogation of Benjamin Cross took place in a small windowless room at the Park County Sheriff’s Department. Lieutenant Monroe sat across from Cross, a thick file containing years of investigation and the weight of four families grief between them.
Cross, a wiry man with intense eyes and a weathered face, initially maintained his innocence. He claimed he had no recollection of encountering the teenagers in 2009, dismissing Ranger Shaw’s identification as a case of mistaken identity. He admitted to living in the park illegally at the time, but insisted he had no involvement in the teen’s disappearance.
Monroe, however, was prepared. He presented Cross with the evidence they had gathered, Ranger Shaw’s positive identification, the proximity of his cabin to the location where the backpack was found, and the analysis of the journal entries, which hinted at an encounter with someone matching Cross’s description. As Monroe laid out the evidence, piece by piece, Cross’s demeanor began to shift.
His initial defiance gave way to a nervous fidgeting, his gaze darting around the room, avoiding direct eye contact. The turning point in the interrogation came when Monroe presented Cross with a photograph of the silver locket found in the backpack. The locket, engraved with Leah Jacob’s initials, held sentimental value for the Jacob’s family.
Monroe explained that the locket had been a gift from Leah’s grandmother and that Leah rarely took it off. He suggested that the locket’s presence in the backpack indicated that something had happened to Leah, something that separated her from her cherished possession. The mention of the locket seemed to break through Cross’s carefully constructed facade.
His eyes welled up with tears, and he began to tremble. He finally admitted to encountering the teenagers on the day of their disappearance. He confessed to luring them to his remote cabin, promising to show them a hidden geothermal vent, a place of spiritual purification. Cross’s confession, delivered in a halting and fragmented manner, painted a chilling picture of the events that led to the teen’s deaths.
He described how he had led the group to a remote vent emitting toxic gases, claiming it was a sacred site. He forced them to participate in a purification ritual, requiring them to inhale the fumes from the vent. Three of the teens, Jenna, Megan, and Evan, succumbed to the toxic gases within minutes. Leah, horrified by what she had witnessed, attempted to escape.
Cross pursued her, but she managed to evade him in the darkness and the dense forest. Leah, however, was unprepared for the harsh conditions of the back country. Lost and disoriented, she succumbed to the elements, her body discovered months later by a park ranger during a routine patrol. Cross, panicked by the deaths and fearing the consequences, attempted to cover up his crime.
He burned the teen’s journal in an attempt to destroy any evidence linking him to them. He then discarded the backpack near the dormant geyser, hoping to mislead searchers and create the impression that the group had perished in a different location. Cross’s confession corroborated the physical evidence and the findings of the forensic analysis.
Geological surveys of the vent confirmed the presence of toxic gases consistent with the cause of death determined by the coroner. The partially burned journal entries, though fragmented, supported Cross’s account of the teen’s final hours. The broken compass found near Leah’s remains, indicated her desperate attempt to escape and find her way back to safety.
The discovery of the backpack near the dormant geyser, miles from where the teens perished, confirmed Cross’s attempt to mislead investigators. The confession brought a sense of grim satisfaction to the investigative team. They had finally pieced together the puzzle, solving a mystery that had haunted the park and the families for over a decade.
The emotional impact of the confession, however, was profound. The investigators, though hardened by years of dealing with crime and tragedy, were deeply affected by the senseless loss of young lives. For the families, the news brought a mixture of relief and renewed grief. The truth, though painful, finally provided the answers they had been searching for.
The trial of Benjamin Cross captivated the nation, media outlets from across the country descended upon the small Wyoming town where the trial was held. Eager to report on the latest developments in a case that had gripped the public’s imagination for over a decade, Cross charged with three counts of manslaughter and one count of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Jenna Coleman, Megan Porter, Evan Hollis, and Leah Jacobs, pleaded not guilty.
His defense team argued that the deaths were accidental. a tragic consequence of the teens decision to venture off trail and their unwitting exposure to toxic gases. They portrayed Cross as a misguided but well-meaning individual who had attempted to help the teens but was ultimately unable to prevent the tragedy. The prosecution, however, presented a compelling case, meticulously laying out the evidence against Cross, they presented the restored journal entries, the broken compass, the silver locket, and the geological surveys of the toxic vent.
They argued that Cross had lured the teens to the vent under false pretenses, forcing them to participate in a dangerous ritual that ultimately led to their deaths. They highlighted Cross’s attempts to cover up his crime, burning the journal and discarding the backpack to mislead investigators.
A key witness for the prosecution was coroner Bridget Quinn. Dr. Quinn testified about the cause of death, explaining how the inhalation of toxic gases from the geothermal vent had led to the rapid and agonizing deaths of Jenna, Megan, and Evan. She also described the condition of Leah’s remains, confirming that she had died from exposure to the elements after attempting to escape. Dr.
Quinn’s testimony, delivered with scientific precision and emotional restraint, left a lasting impact on the jury. The families of the victims seated in the courtroom listened intently to the proceedings, their faces etched with a mixture of grief and determination. They had waited over a decade for justice, and they were finally witnessing the culmination of years of searching, hoping, and grieving.
After weeks of testimony and deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts. Benjamin Cross was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and one count of involuntary manslaughter. The judge, acknowledging the severity of the crime and the devastating impact on the families, sentenced Cross to a substantial prison term.
The families, though relieved by the verdict, expressed a profound sense of loss and the bittersweet realization that no amount of punishment could bring back their children. Sarah Coleman, Jenna’s mother, spoke on behalf of the families, expressing their gratitude to the investigators and the prosecution team. She spoke of the long and arduous journey they had endured, the unwavering hope that had sustained them, and the pain that would forever remain.
The resolution of the case brought a sense of closure to the community and the nation. The story of the missing teens, a haunting mystery for so long, finally had an ending. The case served as a stark reminder of the dangers of venturing off trail in national parks, and the importance of respecting the power of nature.
It also highlighted the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement and the unwavering commitment of families to seek justice for their loved ones. In the years following the trial, Yellowstone National Park implemented new safety measures, increasing signage, improving trail maintenance, and enhancing visitor education programs.
The park also established a memorial near the Ferry Falls trail head, a place where visitors could reflect on the tragic loss of Jenna, Megan, Evan, and Leah, and remember the importance of safety and responsible exploration in the wilderness. The families, though forever marked by the tragedy, found solace in their shared grief and their commitment to honoring the memories of their children.
They established a foundation in the teens names dedicated to promoting wilderness safety and supporting families of missing persons. The legacy of Jenna, Megan, Evan, and Leah lived on.
