Are Off Grid Robbers Hiding Out on Public Lands?

A tragic robbery-gone-wrong murder in an Alabama national forest last week, many wonder: Are off grid robbers hiding out on public lands?

We talk at length about this unbelievable story out of the Talladega National Forest that claimed the life of a 22-year-old college student who stopped to help what he thought were two women stranded in the wilderness when their car broke down.

It was a setup from the start and although police have the alleged perpetrators in custody, the case has many who boondock on public lands wondering if the many homeless encampments hidden in the woods throughout the country are also harboring dangerous criminals.

You can hear this story for yourself in Episode 410 of the RV Podcast, in which we also report a grisly mystery has rangers at Yellowstone National Park wondering about a human foot - in a shoe - found floating in a dangerous hot spring at the park.

Also this week, we preview of the upcoming Hershey RV Show – known as America's Largest RV Show - with an interview with the show director. This is a must-attended event if you’re looking for a new RV. Plus, we answer your RV Lifestyle questions and share RV tips. 

You can watch the video version of the podcast in its entirety by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio version, you can listen on your favorite podcast app or click the player below.

First, an RV Lifestyle Tip

From Bob H, who saw last week's article on 15 Pool Noodle Hacks for RVers.

Bob has a 16th tip: "I just saw your article on pool noodles, and you missed one. I have been using one for a while now in the microwave in my Thor Tellaro. I cut one long enough to put inside the microwave and put pressure between the roof of the microwave and glass turntable to keep the turntable from bouncing out of place while driving. Now I don’t have to put the turntable back in place before using it at a campsite.

Robbers Hiding out on Public Lands

This young couple was robbed by two women posing as stranded motorists in the Talledega National Forest. The 22 year old boy on the left was shot and killed.

The most sensational and disturbing story of the college student murdered in a national forest last week was our main podcast topic.

The victim, driving through the forest with his girlfriend on the way to a hike, was flagged down by a couple of robbers - both women - posing as disabled motorists.The long-time couple, both students at the University of Central Florida, made an impulsive decision to visit the forest and were driving on their way for a hike when they were flagged down by the women who said they needed help getting their car started.The couple stopped, and the young man, 22, tried to assist when one of the women he was trying to help pulled a gun on him and his 20-year-old girlfriend and started marching them through the woods to rob them. The 22-year-old had a gun also, and he shot the robber, who then shot and killed him. Police found the wounded robber and her associate, and a 5-year-old boy, who was holding a shotgun when police arrived, and a hidden encampment deep in the woods about a half mile from the scene of the robbery. To read more of the story, including an interview with the young woman who witnessed her boyfriend's death, click here.