The Crimes Of Cary Stayner, The Handyman Who Murdered Four Women Near Yosemite National Park

 The Crimes Of Cary Stayner, The Handyman Who Murdered Four Women Near Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park in California is known for its breathtaking beauty — towering sequoia trees, powerful waterfalls, and dramatic granite cliffs that attract millions of visitors each year. But in 1999, the peaceful wilderness became the site of a series of horrifying murders that shocked the nation.

Between February and July of that year, four women were brutally killed near the park by a quiet handyman named Cary Stayner.

What made the story even more disturbing was that the Stayner family had already been in the national spotlight decades earlier.

A Family Marked By Tragedy

In 1972, Cary Stayner’s younger brother, seven-year-old Steven Stayner, was kidnapped in Merced, California by convicted child molester Kenneth Parnell. Steven was held captive for seven long years.

When Steven turned 14, Parnell forced him to help abduct another child — five-year-old Timothy White. Instead, Steven used the opportunity to escape and brought the young boy to safety. His bravery made national headlines, and he was widely praised as a hero.

But behind the scenes, the attention surrounding Steven created tension within the family. Cary reportedly felt overshadowed by his younger brother’s story and the praise he received from the public and their parents.

Steven’s life ended tragically in 1989 when he died in a motorcycle accident. Years later, Cary’s life would take a dark and terrifying turn.

The Murders At Cedar Lodge

In 1999, Cary Stayner was working as a handyman at Cedar Lodge, a motel located just outside the entrance to Yosemite National Park.

On February 15, 1999, three tourists staying at the lodge suddenly disappeared. They were 42-year-old Carole Sund, her 15-year-old daughter Juli, and Juli’s 16-year-old friend Silvina Pelosso.

Stayner later admitted that he knocked on their motel room door and claimed there was a leak in order to gain access. Once inside, he strangled Carole Sund and Silvina Pelosso.

He placed their bodies in the trunk of their car and forced Juli Sund to ride with him for hours while he searched for a place to dispose of the bodies. Eventually, he slit the teenager’s throat and left her body near a creek before returning to burn the vehicle.

Weeks later, investigators discovered the burned car with the bodies of Carole and Silvina inside the trunk. The remains were so badly damaged that they could only be identified through dental records.

Soon after, police received an anonymous letter describing where Juli’s body could be found. When investigators followed the directions, they discovered her remains. Her throat had been slashed so violently that she was nearly decapitated.

At the time, police briefly questioned Cary Stayner but dismissed him as a suspect. He appeared calm, ordinary, and had no serious criminal history.

Another Victim

Several months later, another horrifying discovery was made.

On July 22, 1999, the decapitated body of 26-year-old Yosemite naturalist Joie Armstrong was found near the cabin where she had been staying.

Stayner had seen Armstrong the day before while walking nearby. According to his later confession, he decided to kill her after noticing she was alone.

He held her at gunpoint in her cabin, bound her hands and mouth with duct tape, and forced her into his vehicle. At one point, Armstrong managed to jump from the moving truck in an attempt to escape. But Stayner chased her down and murdered her, later beheading her.

This time, however, Stayner left behind crucial evidence — including tire tracks from his truck and a red mechanic’s hat that belonged to him.

The evidence quickly led investigators straight to Cary Stayner.

A Shocking Confession

Authorities tracked Stayner down to a nudist colony in Wilton, California and brought him in for questioning.

During interrogation, Stayner stunned investigators by offering to confess — but only if they gave him child pornography in return. Police refused his demand.

Despite this, he eventually confessed to all four murders in chilling detail.

Stayner claimed he had been fantasizing about killing women for more than 30 years and said the victims were simply in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” He even told investigators that if he had not been caught, he would have continued killing.

Where Cary Stayner Is Today

Cary Stayner was charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

During the trial, his defense argued that he suffered from mental illness and had been deeply affected by the trauma surrounding his brother’s kidnapping. They also claimed he had been sexually abused by a relative as a child, which may have contributed to his violent fantasies.

The jury, however, showed no leniency.

In August 2002, Cary Stayner was convicted of all four murders and sentenced to death.

Today, he remains on death row at San Quentin State Prison in California. Although executions in the state have been halted since 2006, Stayner is not eligible for parole and will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The man once known as a quiet handyman became one of the most infamous killers ever connected to Yosemite National Park — turning one of America’s most beautiful places into the setting of a nightmare.