Photographs are cropped to fit. Photo dates and original images are available through the source credits.
The story behind The Yosemite Murders
Carole Sund, her teenage daughter Juli, and family friend Silvina Pelosso disappeared during a Yosemite-area trip in 1999 and were found murdered. The later killing of park naturalist Joie Armstrong led investigators to Cary Stayner, a motel worker. Stayner was convicted in the killings that had frightened visitors and devastated four families.
Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.
California, United States. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.
Map sources checked September 14, 2026. No case-specific Odd Stops location was found in this review.
See this case’s source review
Odd Stops
No verified match found. Source imagery is linked; only separately licensed photos are reproduced.
MurderData
No verified match found.
ArcGIS essay
Not included in this essay.
Reddit map
Reviewed as a general resource. Its coordinates and victim counts were not adopted as case evidence.
“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.
Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
A verified movie listing has not been added yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
03TV & documentaries
3 items
Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
press.hulu.com
Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story — Hulu series information
Nonfiction screen coverage of this case. The linked page identifies the program or episode; playback, subscriptions, and regional availability vary.
IMDb episode reference connected to the The Yosemite murders case. Listed release: 2018. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.
IMDb episode reference connected to the The Yosemite murders case. Listed release: 2003. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.
Original newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.
Featured newspaper clipping
Read a featured clipping here, then explore more reporting in the newspaper archive.
The San Francisco Examiner · 1999-07-26 · Page 12
FBI links Stayner to the Yosemite killings
The newspaper reports federal charges in Joie Armstrong’s killing and investigators’ suspicions about three earlier deaths.
A continuation article published before the trials; contains graphic detail.
Loads the article viewer from Newspapers.com. That service receives your browser and connection information and may use cookies. Access is controlled by the publisher; a subscription may be needed for additional archive material.
Case videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Absolute Crime
How Cary Stayner Became The Yosemite Park Serial Killer | World's Most Evil Killers | Absolute Crime
Video from Absolute Crime covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 43:15.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “#058 The Tale of Two Brothers: Steven & Cary Stayner.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “#058 The Tale of Two Brothers: Steven & Cary Stayner.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “Cary Stayner Pt. 1.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP. 137 CALIFORNIA - THE YOSEMITE SERIAL KILLER: Cary Stayner.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP. 137 CALIFORNIA - THE YOSEMITE SERIAL KILLER: Cary Stayner.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Outside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.
Crime Library · Blog / essay
Cary Stayner and the Yosemite Murders
An outside blog or essay discussing The Yosemite murders. Read the author’s analysis alongside the dated reporting and court sources in this case guide. Some publishers require a subscription.
Individual records from Internet Archive: library books, historical broadcasts, and preserved web pages. A catalog listing does not guarantee free reading or full playback. Access, previews, and borrowing are controlled by Internet Archive.
Internet Archive · Library record · 2015
Cary Stayner : the true story of the Yosemite Park killer
Rosewood, Jack, author. A library catalog record for a book connected with The Yosemite murders. The record may offer a preview or borrowing options; full reading access is not guaranteed.
The archive indexes this broadcast under Cary Stayner. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
11Court records & documents
1 items
Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.
Court opinionArchive copy
People v. Stayner — California Supreme Court opinion
The state supreme court’s review of Cary Stayner’s prosecution for the Yosemite-area murders of Carole Sund, Juli Sund, and Silvina Pelosso.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
13Where are they now?
0 items
The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.
A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
14Positive Outcome
0 items
Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.
No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
The Yosemite murders — media, court records & case files | Unforgotten Casebook
07Social Media
14 itemsCase videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Absolute Crime
How Cary Stayner Became The Yosemite Park Serial Killer | World's Most Evil Killers | Absolute Crime
Video from Absolute Crime covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 43:15.
Watch on YouTubeTrue Crime Central
His Motive for Murdering Four Women? Jealousy of his Brother | Cary Stayner, Serial Killer
Video from True Crime Central covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 45:53.
Watch on YouTubeFilmRise True Crime
World's Most Evil Killers - Season 2, Episode 14 - Cary Stayner - Full Episode
Full episode or film as labeled by the publisher from FilmRise True Crime covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 43:19.
Watch on YouTubeTrue Crime Recaps
Steven & Cary Stayner: Hero vs Killer Brother
Video from True Crime Recaps covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 21:11.
Watch on YouTubeMile Higher
The Wild Kidnapping Of Steven Stayner & The Case Of His Brother Cary Stayner “The Yosemite Killer”
Video from Mile Higher covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 1:14:47.
Watch on YouTubeFilmRise True Crime
Mugshots: Cary Stayner - The Cedar Lodge Killings
Video from FilmRise True Crime covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 9:17.
Watch on YouTubeCBS News Sacramento
FBI agent recalls how he got Cary Stayner to confess to 1999 Yosemite killings
Video from CBS News Sacramento covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 3:08.
Watch on YouTubeABC News
20/20 Evil in Eden, Pt 4 – Cary Stayner takes refuge in Yosemite
Video from ABC News covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 7:22.
Watch on YouTubeReal Crime
Yosemite Park Killer: When A Victim Turns Into A Murderer | World’s Most Evil Killers | Real Crime
Video from Real Crime covering the The Yosemite murders case. Length: 43:16.
Watch on YouTubeFacebook · Creator community
The Killafornia Dreaming Podcast — Facebook group
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “#058 The Tale of Two Brothers: Steven & Cary Stayner.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
View the Facebook groupFacebook · Creator channel
The Killafornia Dreaming Podcast — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “#058 The Tale of Two Brothers: Steven & Cary Stayner.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageFacebook · Creator channel
California True Crime — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “Cary Stayner Pt. 1.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageFacebook · Creator community
Murder In America — Facebook group
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP. 137 CALIFORNIA - THE YOSEMITE SERIAL KILLER: Cary Stayner.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
View the Facebook groupFacebook · Creator channel
Murder In America — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP. 137 CALIFORNIA - THE YOSEMITE SERIAL KILLER: Cary Stayner.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook page