Hi Park enthusiasts, I'm your host, Dilya DeAmbra, and the case I have for you today is a bizarre one.

It takes place in and around Fort Leonardwood Army installation just south of Lake of the Ozarks State Park,

and that's slightly west of the Mark Twain National Forest in South Central Missouri.

If you drive 30 minutes to an hour in either direction, you're surrounded by Clark National Forest,

the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and the northern edges of the Ozark Mountains.

A lot of people who live and work on the Army base visit these recreation areas to go on long drives

or hike and camp in the summer and springtime.

In the winter though, snowfall and icy roads keep most people indoors or traveling only short distances.

On a car ride in 1977, 14-agers who ventured out into a cold January night for a double date

came face-to-face with a deadly predator who used the snowfall to cover up his crimes.

But when his horrific deeds were uncovered, the facade of his military persona was unmasked

and everyone was left asking the question, who is officer Johnny Lee Thornton?

This is Park Predators.

On January 12, 1977, Donna Bates Stinger was hosting a game night at her house on Fort Leonard Wood Army Base.

The evening of playing cards and hanging in the woods

was a great day for her.

On January 12, 1977, Donna Bates Stinger was hosting a game night at her house on Fort Leonard Wood Army Base.

The evening of playing cards and hanging out was winding down and her younger brother Anthony and his three friends

were about to head out and get some late-night pizza.

18-year-old Anthony was on a double date with his girlfriend, 16-year-old Linda Needham, her friend 19-year-old Juanita Deckard,

and 18-year-old Wesley Hawkins.

Anthony and Linda had been a steady couple for a while and Juanita and Wesley had only recently started dating.

...