The Mystery of Daniel Moore: A Shocking Discovery in Yellowstone National Park

In one of the most chilling discoveries in Yellowstone National Park’s history, the human remains of Daniel Moore, a tourist who vanished four years earlier, were found packed inside a hollow tree trunk. This discovery not only answered the haunting questions surrounding Moore’s disappearance but also uncovered a dark and sinister truth about one of the park’s own employees.

The Disappearance

On August 10th, 2008, Daniel Moore, a 32-year-old software engineer from Denver, Colorado, arrived at Yellowstone National Park for a solo hiking trip. An experienced hiker, Moore had completed more than 20 hiking expeditions over the past seven years, most of them in the rugged terrains of Colorado. He had planned to spend five days in the western part of Yellowstone, a less-traveled area known for its pristine nature.

Moore packed his 28 kg backpack with everything he needed for the trip—food for six days, a tent, sleeping bag, gas burner, a water filter, and other essential hiking gear. After registering his route with the park rangers, he set off around 8:00 AM on August 10th. The first two days went smoothly. Moore met several groups of tourists along the trail, exchanging greetings and chatting briefly. He was in good spirits and appeared to be enjoying his journey.

On August 12th, around noon, Moore encountered a group of California tourists 4 km from Shosonyi Lake. He appeared cheerful, engaged in casual conversation about the weather, and mentioned that he planned to camp near Fern Creek for two nights. This was the last confirmed sighting of Daniel Moore. After that, he seemingly vanished without a trace.

By August 15th, Moore had missed his return to the trailhead, where his green Jeep was parked. His family grew increasingly worried, and by evening, park officials declared him missing. Search and rescue teams were mobilized the following day, scouring the area along Moore’s planned route.

The Search Effort

The search for Moore was intense. His backpack was found near the trail, 3 km from his intended campsite. The backpack was neatly placed next to a pine tree, with Moore’s belongings still inside—his sleeping bag, tent, stove, spare clothes, and food. The only items missing were a small knife and a water bottle. There were no signs of a struggle, and everything appeared to have been left in order.

Search teams, equipped with helicopters, service dogs, and thermal imaging, expanded their efforts to a 5 km radius from where the backpack was found. Despite their efforts, no further clues about Moore’s whereabouts emerged. The search continued for two weeks, with 47 people, including park rangers and volunteers, combing the area. Divers searched lakes and streams, but Moore was nowhere to be found. By August 29th, the search was officially called off.

The National Park Service handed Moore’s case over to its cold case unit. Investigators considered multiple theories: an accident, an animal attack, suicide, or even murder. A bear attack was ruled out due to the absence of signs of an attack in the area. The theory of suicide was also dismissed, as Moore had no history of depression and had purchased tickets to a concert a month after his hike.

Moore’s family, determined to find answers, hired a private investigator and offered a $10,000 reward for any information. They continued their own search, with Moore’s brother, Robert, retracing his brother’s steps multiple times. However, the case slowly faded from public attention.

A Break in the Case

Four years passed without any significant leads in the case until July 21st, 2012. Ranger Thomas Collins was patrolling the western sector of the park when he noticed a strange smell near a group of fallen trees. The odor was reminiscent of decay, but it was old and musty. Investigating further, Collins came across a large pine tree that had fallen several years earlier. The tree’s hollow trunk stood out, and as Collins peered inside, he saw something that made him immediately call for backup.

Inside the hollow tree lay human remains wrapped in a dark blue sleeping bag, tied with leather straps. Collins did not touch anything, but instead, he quickly secured the area and contacted park authorities. Forty minutes later, a team of investigators arrived, led by Detective Margaret Stevens, and the remains were carefully removed from the tree.

The sleeping bag was the same brand as the one Moore had taken on his hike, and his initials were found burned into one of the straps. A forensic examination revealed that the skeleton was almost complete, except for some small bones from the feet. The skull showed significant damage: a crack in the parietal region, a dent above the right temple, and a broken jaw. The forensic expert concluded that the victim had survived for several days after the injury, indicating that Moore had been alive for some time after being attacked.

DNA analysis confirmed that the remains were indeed those of Daniel Moore. The cause of death was determined to be traumatic brain injury, caused by multiple blows with a heavy object. Metal microparticles found on the skull matched the composition of the weapon used, indicating that the object had been made of metal. The question, however, remained: how did Moore’s body end up in the hollow tree?

The Investigation into Alan Hughes

As the investigation progressed, Detective Stevens turned her attention to the people who had been in the park during the time of Moore’s disappearance. One person stood out: Alan Hughes, a 37-year-old trail keeper who had been working in the western sector of Yellowstone in 2008. Hughes’s job included patrolling the area where Moore had gone missing. His background, however, raised some red flags.

In 2006, Hughes had been fired from a similar position at Glacier National Park after tourists complained about his aggressive behavior. He was also let go from the Grand Canyon Park in 2007 after an incident with a group of college students. Despite this, Hughes was hired by Yellowstone’s administration in 2008, though his employment history had not been thoroughly checked.

Witnesses described Hughes as a man obsessed with authority, frequently confronting tourists over minor rule violations. On August 12th, 2008, Hughes had been seen interacting with a tourist family near Fern Creek, the same day Moore was last seen. Hughes had been overly aggressive, demanding to see permits and threatening fines for minor infractions. This encounter raised suspicions, especially considering Hughes’s hostile attitude towards solo tourists like Moore.

Further investigation revealed that Hughes had been carrying a large hiking backpack and a metal walking stick, which matched the descriptions given by witnesses. A search of his home and workplace revealed disturbing findings. Police discovered a collection of knives and axes, one of which had blood traces matching Moore’s DNA. They also found a metal walking stick with dents and scratches, as well as detailed topographic maps of Yellowstone with markings that matched the locations where Moore’s backpack and remains had been found.

Most incriminating of all was Hughes’s diary. The entries revealed a disturbing mindset, with Hughes describing tourists as “violators” and “urban parasites.” One entry from August 12th, 2008, read: “Another loner thinks the park was created for him… People like this need to be taught a lesson.” A week later, Hughes wrote, “Problem solved. The park is cleaner.” This was enough to arrest Hughes on suspicion of murder.

The Trial

In January 2013, Hughes stood trial for the murder of Daniel Moore. The prosecution presented a compelling case, with physical evidence and witness testimony painting a clear picture of Hughes’s involvement in the crime. According to the prosecution, Hughes had confronted Moore on the trail, and after a heated argument over park rules, struck Moore on the head with his cane. The blows caused Moore’s fatal injuries, and after his death, Hughes hid the body in the hollow tree to cover up the crime.

The defense attempted to argue that Hughes had found Moore’s body after the death, but this theory did not hold up under scrutiny. The DNA evidence, the diary entries, and the injuries to Moore’s skull left little doubt about Hughes’s guilt. After a tense trial, the jury found Hughes guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Aftermath and Reflection

For Daniel Moore’s family, the conviction brought some closure, but the pain of losing him remained. His brother, Robert, expressed relief that the killer had been caught, but emphasized that the family’s grief would never fully fade. The case also led to changes within the National Park Service, with more thorough background checks and psychological testing for seasonal employees.

The case of Daniel Moore became one of the most infamous crimes in Yellowstone National Park’s history, highlighting the need for more stringent hiring practices for those entrusted with the safety of visitors. Moore’s tragic death also served as a chilling reminder of the dangers that can lurk in even the most beautiful and remote corners of the world.

As for the hollow tree where Moore’s body was hidden for four years, it was cut down and burned at the request of the victim’s family. The tree, once a silent witness to a brutal crime, was finally put to rest along with the memories of a man who never made it out of Yellowstone alive.