Death in Big Bend

by Laurence Parent

17 Stories of Fatality & Rescue in the Park. Most visitors to Big Bend National Park enjoy a wonderful, incident-free vacation and return home with great photos, thrilling memories, and stories of excitement and adventure. But accidents, even catastrophes, can happen. For a rare few park visitors, a simple mistake, a lack of adequate preparation, or just plain bad luck has led to deadly or near deadly outcomes. Heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia, drowning, falls, lightning, and even murder have claimed victims at Big Bend. This book chronicles selected serious injuries, dramatic rescues, and tragic fatalities that have occurred in the park since the early 1980s. Death in Big Bend contains useful information that could one day save your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Nature, True Crime, Outdoors, Historical

202 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2010

Reviews

[Eris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blew through this book in two evenings, and that was with a 14 month old. Engaging and descriptive, it is refreshing to read a more journalist approach to these cases as they could have very easily been sensationalized just to boost sales to the blood and gore crowd. With every applicable case, there is a summary that points out (in case you missed it) the missteps that led to things spiralling out of control.

Not a difficult read, if you've visited the park you will quickly visualize many of the locations covered in Parent's book. This should give pause to both seasoned desert dwellers and newbies who have never stepped foot in the desolate region. I highly recommend this to all West Texas inhabitants and visitors, it may change the way you pack your car and your gear.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third book about deaths in national parks (after Yellowstone and Yosemite), and it was probably the best. Instead of cataloging every single non-car-crash death like the other two books, this book tells 17 interesting stories of both successful rescues and deaths. And that's what makes this book so much more readable. Each story gets it's own chapter, and we get more details.

It's also not scary to read, because all the deaths seemed random (lightning) or things I would never do (like rappelling down an unknown canyon).

My husband bought this for me during a camping trip at Big Bend, and we started reading it while there. I read the rest of it aloud in the car in the following days of our desert road trip. Reading it together was another thing that made this a good read.

[Phil Clymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached this book with a sense of dread, as I lost a good friend there during spring break of 1987. He took his wife and son on one of the short hikes, but it was an unseasonably warm day (over 100 if I recall correctly) not what you would expect for a spring day. They had only one gallon of water with them. When they realized they were in trouble he left wife and son in a relatively sheltered area and went to retrieve more water from their car at the foot of the trail. He never returned to them. Wife and son were rescued by another hiker. His body was found the next day down by the Rio Grande. This incident is not one described in the book.

The book is well written and hard to put down. The stories aren't all tragedies, some are of survival. It covers a variety of scenarios, and is much broader than the typical man-against-nature-nature-wins spectrum. This is a very good book and I recommend it highly.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Though I found Parent's writing style a bit dry, it fit well with the subject matter, which was detailing some rather gruesome deaths in Big Bend National Park. I did appreciate how he refrained from sensationalism and attempted to use most of the stories a examples of just what not to do in the Park. If anything, I've learned to never a) hike or drive the Old Ore Road in summer (or at all); b) climb Cattail Canyon; and c) bring shitloads of water and warm clothes no matter where I go in the desert at any time of year. Still, even with adequate preparation, the stories in this book prove that sometimes shit happens anyway, and a literal bolt from the blue can take out even the most seasoned hiker.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the subject matter is pretty grim, if you have an interest in Big Bend or outdoorsmanship in general, it is a must read. Laurence Parent combines a dry re-telling of Big Bend rescue missions and investigations with after-the-fact interviews with families and survivors into a collection of mistakes, accidents, and intentional killings that is difficult to put down. I've only been to Big Bend once, but after hiking through the desert, trudging across a slippery ridge, and camping in an isolated camping area, I can easily see how a fun outdoor trip could quickly turn bad. I still want to go back, though!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved casually reading this book when I had 10mins to spare here and there. Some chapters were more interesting than others but most were captivating. A couple of the stories I wouldn't mind reading entire books devoted to their narrative. I enjoyed the authors attention to detail but not to an unnecessary degree. Even though majority of stories detailed the dangers associated with Big Bend, it had me wanting to see the beautiy beyond the peril myself. One day.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's writing style can be a bit dry, and the detail can be excessive at times, to the point of repetition. Still, this kind of thing is endlessly, morbidly fascinating to me.

[Keri Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve regretted for over 20 years not buying When Grizzlies Attack in Glacier National Park, so when my daughter wanted to buy this book in Big Bend I said, “Go for it.” This book was a conversation starter for her wherever she went. I picked up the book abs couldn’t put it down. The writing is fine. It’s the facts of the deaths collected from rangers and family members mostly. I have a few takeaways from all this:
1. If a park ranger gives you advice when you pick up a backcountry permit, take it. Every time.
2. If you don’t know how much rope you might need or if you need more rope than you can carry, don’t go.
3. Always tell people when you are leaving and when you are coming back.
4. Don’t underestimate heat.

That last one seems simple but as human beings we constantly underestimate. In some far flung places, that can be very dangerous. I enjoyed the book very much.

[Hunter Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck on this “Death In” series. Thanks, Yosemite. Also...Big Bend is hot in the summer. Hydrate yourself.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite fascinating, and the book seems to serve as an educational purpose for anyone deciding to hike in a large, national park (even if it's anticipated to be a short hike), especially a park that is typically hot, dry one. (Although there are many stories that occurred during cold and snowy months too.) The stories have stayed with me for many weeks, and I now have certain ideas in mind about what to plan for. We city dwellers and/or novice hikers do have blind spots about potential dangers; this book helps bring out what to be mindful of.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as well polished as "Death in the Grand Canyon" or "Death in Yosemite" -- the different author here to the other two has a different style, and not having been a park ranger himself, a different perspective. Still well worth reading, particularly if you're thinking of heading to the area. Most of the stories predate the modern era of communications and rescue operations, so it's an interesting window into the history of search and rescue operations.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars because it was ok. Not bad, just ok. I enjoyed it and read the whole thing. Not as well edited as some of the other Death-in-the-National-Parks books I've read. The individual stories were each interesting, and the writing is mostly fine although it lapses into a sort of police-blotter cadence at times (again, could have used a better editor). But the main annoying thing about this book is that there's no rhyme or reason that I could understand regarding the selection of stories. They're not in chronological order, nor are they grouped by cause of death. They're just all over the place. Plus, three of the stories are not deaths at all, but rescues. Are these all the deaths that have occurred in the park? No, it's just stories of 17 incidents. Are they a representative sample? Not at all. "I chose these incidents because they were often the most involved and interesting search and rescue operations," the author claims, but this isn't quite true either. Several of the incidents involved forensic identification of bodies or remains that were discovered after the fact. These were often very suspenseful, engaging and compelling tales, of course. And most of the search and rescue stories were also suspenseful, astonishing, and emotional. But the lack of any kind of organizing principle did irritate me a bit.

By the numbers:
Accidental fall 1
Dehydration/heat stroke 4
Drowning 1
Hypothermia 2
Lightning 1
Murder 3
Rescues 3
Suicide 1
Unexplained death 1

[Byron Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

After leaving Big Bend National Park, I always go into temporary post-Big Bend depression. Reading this book put me right back in the park and allowed me to extend my trip. If you have never visited the park, it is a great book, but for those familiar with Big Bend and who have hiked the trails, I think the interest factor will be exponentially higher.

The book chronicles 17 different harrowing tales of rescue, recovery and criminal investigation. Most are sad and tragic either as a result of bad luck or bad decisions. There are happy endings too, but in every case there are inspiring accounts of bravery and professionalism of the park rangers. It left me wanting for more insight into the daily life of a park ranger. They take every call for assistance seriously and respond without hesitation whether it is a high mountain rescue or a scorching desert search. It is a fairly quick read that is hard to put down.

[Shannon Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

In December 2021, my two sons and I spent 3 days hiking and exploring Big Bend National Park. The vastness, diversity, ruggedness and most of all beauty of the park can’t be understated. I fell in love with Big Bend and became obsessed with everything about it. So upon returning home, I immediately bought Death in Big Bend and devoured it in one evening. The stories were even more compelling with the memories of my time there so fresh in my mind. I could picture every step of the inexperienced hiker who attempted Grapevine Hills Trail since we had hiked that same trail at sunset on our last day in the park.

Though the writing is unpolished, the stories are very interesting and convey how quickly things can go wrong especially for those who are unprepared. It’s a must read for anyone traveling to Big Bend. It’s such a wild and wonderful place but every visitor needs to be aware of the many dangers, most notably the extreme heat and lack of internet connectivity. My advice is download your trails from AllTrails, bring plenty of water, plan your long hikes very early in the morning even in winter, hike with a partner or make sure someone knows your itinerary and did I mention water? Lots and lots of water!

[Nathan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of this book during a short visit to the Park on the way home from experiencing the 2024 solar eclipse.
With its harsh desert environment, upland semi-forest, rugged topography, erratic weather, and an international border, Big Bend National Park is a unique place. As one might expect, visitors get into trouble. Parent presents us with a dozen and a half incidents peppered over more than three decades. Each one reads like an episode of "Rescue 911." Sadly, most of them have unhappy endings, bur fortunately a few of the victims survive their ordeals. While far more incidents occur in the park each year, the ones in this book have a certain amount of drama wrapped up in them, and illustrate the sorts of hazards peculiar to this park.
Even though I had to look at maps and photos (Whatever did we do before Google StreetView?) to help me better visualize where in the Park each incident occurred, it was helpful to have been familiar with the place. I recommend both this book, and a visit to the Park...in early April--it's not terribly hot yet and the wildflowers are in bloom!

[Jan Dunlap · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be most enjoyable if I knew the areas of Big Bend well. A reader who has visited Big Bend often would be able to picture where the events took place and enjoy the intricate details of various park rangers rescue searches. Each story is a bit different. I liked learning that the rangers are efficient in the rescue and search department. Plus knowing that the rangers conduct a meticulous investigation to determine what needs to be done to prevent a similar disaster from happening again.

[Trandt Bullis · Rating 4 out of 5]

After some fifteen years of almost impulse buying this book at a visitor center in Big Bend, I finally gave in and bought it. As someone who does extreme activities in that country, it is helpful to read a few stories of things that can go wrong. I learned a few things from this one. The stories are fascinating. A couple of the deaths are murders, which are not my speed. The first murder was especially dark and I wish I had skipped it. The writing was bad, but the stories were still engrossing. The main takeaway is an appreciation for how deadly Big Bend is.

The cover is an actual photo of someone who perished after making some bad decisions. Their story is in the book.

[Kimberly Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this in Big Bend because the book I had brought to read was too short for our trip time. I really liked that each story ended with an idea of what the person had done wrong and what could have been done to prevent it. Thankfully, our group did not run into any issues like the people in the book did.

[Laura McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating stories of what not to do when visiting Big Bend! This was a page turner for me. I feel a bit mixed about this book because now my visits may not be the same, since I will remember the terrible events that happened at different locations around the park. I feel like I need to make up for it by reading some good stories now.

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several FaceBook posts highly recommending that potential visitors to Big Bend National Park read this book prior to visiting. Author Laurence Parent details seventeen events that have occurred within the park requiring rescue and/or recovery from tragic events. The stories are eye-opening and sobering and all contain words of wisdom for staying safe during a visit to the park.

[Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a lot of lessons learned. Whether you are a first time hiker or experienced, this is a great read as to the do's and don'ts for experiencing the great outdoors. It really pushed the importance of trip planning and notifications, as well as carrying the ten essentials even for a short trip. Also know your limits.

[John Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book after a camping trip to Big Bend. It was interesting to read how others who hiked the same areas I did made mistakes or were unlucky. It's scary to know how easy it is for things to go south in Big Bend.

[Cody Remy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were very interesting, but the manner in which they were all narrated was not. Most of the stories were written like a police report. They were very dry and had a lot of information not relevant to the average reader.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So overall this was an informative book, once you began a chapter it was tough to put it down. The writing was a little rough, and it could have used some polishing.

I would recommend it to those visiting the park, I wished it had a better map though.

[David Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and well documented as to what happened. Results of this book, if you are going down to Big Bend National Park remember it is hot and heat will kill you. At the time of this review two more people have died due to the heat in Big Bend.

[Viv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative read! I'm in my big bend (fandom) era if that even is a thing. Each chapter talks about a different death/near-death experience in the park. The chapters are formulaic, and the writing is a bit dry and simple, but I don't mind since I find the content really interesting.

[Pat Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this while in Big Bend NP and needed something to read. Loved it. Great stories.

[Rosemary Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories about my favorite National Park

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book. read in less than a day. i love how he tied it together with take aways.

[Gunnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and great information for safety in the desert mountains.