A young graduate student's life comes to a tragic end beneath the foreboding gaze of Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park. Join us as we uncover the harrowing final moments of Ethan Donahue, whose meticulous research into the park's ecosystem led him into the crosshairs of an illegal poaching ring. Detective Samantha "Sam" Parker faces the unrelenting desert heat and an unforgiving landscape to piece together the story of a fatal confrontation that reveals the darkest lengths some will go to protect their secrets. From the initial discovery of Ethan’s body, marked by blunt force trauma and a blood-stained rock, to the scuffed earth that whispers tales of a violent struggle, we follow Sam as she scrambles for clues in a seemingly hopeless case. As Ethan's hidden crusade against poachers unfolds, the episode exposes the raw courage that ultimately cost him his life. Experience the tension, the chase for justice, and the ultimate price of bravery in this gripping narrative of murder in the heart of the desert. Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show! We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and sign up for our newsletter here.