Teens Discover Abandoned Van in Redwood Forest—Inside: Two Missing Tourists Found in a Freezer

A Summer Adventure Turns Into a Nightmare

On July 16th, 2016, three teens from Crescent City, California—Ethan Parker (17), Madison Wilson (16), and Jacob Lee (17)—set out to explore forgotten logging roads deep in Redwood National Park. Raised among the towering sequoias, they were comfortable in the woods, but the thrill of abandoned places was irresistible.

After two hours of hiking, Ethan spotted something strange: a moss-covered, tarp-draped van, half-sunken in the earth. It was a white Dodge Ram, windows opaque with dirt, padlocks rusted but intact on both doors. The teens, curiosity overcoming caution, broke a lock and slid open the door.

Inside, the van was empty except for a plywood partition hiding a large industrial freezer and a dusty gasoline generator. The freezer wasn’t locked. Ethan lifted the lid—and all three recoiled in horror.

Inside lay two bodies, wrapped in sleeping bags and layers of torn plastic. Their faces were mummified, but still recognizable—a young man and woman. Around the woman’s neck, a silver heart-shaped medallion read “Dianiela.”

The Call That Changed Everything

Panicked, the teens ran until they found cell service. Ethan called 911, voice trembling. Within an hour, Del Norte County deputies and park rangers arrived, following the teens back to the van. By nightfall, the site was cordoned off, floodlights illuminating the scene as forensic teams worked late into the night.

The bodies were removed and taken to the county morgue. Medical examiner Dr. Elizabeth Chen found the remains naturally mummified by years of cold, dry conditions. The medallion and a date engraved on the back—July 17th, 2005—became the first clue.

A Decade-Old Mystery

Detective Mark Holloway matched the van and medallion to a cold case: Trevor Miller (27) and Daniela Cruz (24), missing since August 2006. The couple, from Portland, Oregon, had vanished during a road trip along the California coast. Their van was never found—until now.

DNA and dental records confirmed their identities. Ten years after their disappearance, Trevor and Daniela were found less than 15 kilometers from where they were last seen.

Inside the Freezer: The Final Days

Forensics revealed no external injuries—no violence, no gunshots. But both bodies showed signs of severe dehydration and hypothermia. Scratches on the inside of the freezer lid suggested one of them had been alive when the lid closed, but too weak to escape.

Detective Holloway reconstructed their last days: Daniela’s last text to her sister was sent on August 19th, 2006, mentioning their plan to explore remote trails for photos. The last cell signal was near Crescent City at 1:41 p.m. that day.

A local shopkeeper remembered the couple buying supplies and asking about hidden redwood groves. He’d directed them to the old Mill Creek access road—the very road where their van was found.

The Van’s Secrets and the Third Party

Inside the van, investigators found personal belongings, a damaged camera, and empty water bottles. But the keys, wallets, and phones were missing. On the bumper, forensic experts found scratches and blue paint—evidence of contact with another vehicle.

The van had been locked from the outside with industrial padlocks, suggesting someone else had sealed it.

Detective Holloway turned to the area’s criminal history. He found another unsolved case: James and Carol Harrison, who vanished in 2003. Their motor home, also found on a remote road, bore similar blue paint marks.

The Suspect: Raymond Delvin

Holloway searched for owners of dark blue pickup trucks. One name stood out—Raymond Delvin, a reclusive 64-year-old with a criminal record, living in a trailer near the site. He owned a blue 1998 Chevy Silverado.

When police visited, Delvin denied everything but allowed a superficial search. Fresh white paint on his bumper raised suspicions. With a warrant, police searched his property and found Dodge van keys, Trevor and Daniela’s licenses, and traces of paint matching both vehicles. DNA linked Delvin to the items.

A Chilling Confession

Faced with overwhelming evidence, Delvin confessed. He’d met the couple when their van got stuck. He offered help, took them to his trailer, and drugged them with sleeping pills, intending to rob them. He returned them to their van, but as a storm hit, he panicked. Fearing they’d die of exposure, he put them in the freezer, connected to a generator, hoping to keep them in deep sleep until morning.

But when he returned, both were dead. Terrified, he locked the van, hid their belongings, and fled.

Justice and Aftermath

Delvin was charged with double second-degree murder, theft, and concealment of evidence. In May 2017, he was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive 25-year terms—effectively life in prison.

Trevor and Daniela’s families finally buried their loved ones after a decade of uncertainty. The teens who found the van spoke to local media, haunted by what they’d seen, forever changed.

The Redwood National Park increased patrols and warnings, and the case reignited interest in other unsolved disappearances. Though Delvin denied involvement in other cases, many believe he knows more than he admits.

A Lasting Warning

The tragic story of Trevor Miller and Daniela Cruz stands as a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking off the beaten path—and of how one moment of curiosity can unravel a decade-old mystery.

For those who wander, remember: every abandoned road has a story, and some secrets are colder than you can imagine.

Share this story to remind others: Always heed the warnings. Some mysteries are better left untouched.