The rugged beauty of National Monuments under the care of the National Park Service often draws adventurers seeking exploration. El Malpais, translating to “bad land” from Spanish, lives up to its name with its treacherous caves, cliffs, and unpredictable terrain. Sadly, this allure turned fatal for James Chatman and his daughter, Crystal Tuggle, who disappeared during a hike in El Malpais, New Mexico. Despite extensive search efforts involving over 250 people, including National Park employees and volunteers, no trace of them was found initially.
James, a 46-year-old casino worker, and Crystal, a 20-year-old university student, shared a passion for outdoor adventures, making annual excursions a tradition. On June 20, 2002, they embarked on a hike at El Malpais, intending to explore the “Big Tubes.” However, they never returned, prompting a massive search operation. A natural resources survey team eventually found their remains eight years later, adding to a string of disappearances in the area. Despite efforts to uncover the truth, the cause of their demise remains a mystery, leaving their family with unanswered questions and the haunting reality of their loss.
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