Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the nation’s best “hidden” jewels. People venture here to paddle, hike and camp along its rugged, colorful coastline. It’s the perfect destination, until it isn’t. The lakeshore has seen its fair share of recorded deaths since its NPS designation in 1966. The park can be a risky place to be with notoriously rough coastal waters when weather turns, but it wasn’t until 2006 when it saw its first fatal fall. Since then, what truly happened surrounding Juanita Richardson’s death among the cliffs of Pictured rocks has been of fierce speculation. The event tore a family apart, and this story proves the most dangerous risk of all could be sitting right next to you all along.

We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website.

Thank you so much to our partners, check them out!

Beam: Use our link and code NPAD for up to 40% off.  

BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off.

Zocdoc: Use our link to download the Zocdoc app for free.

Lume Deodorant:  New customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code NPAD.

Sources NPS, NBC News, Fox2Detroit, NPS Incident Report, US Court of Appeals, Record Eagle, The Oakland Press, Ortman Funeral Home, Nelson Funeral Home, Upper Michigan Source, Thayer-Rock Funeral Home