The Cowden Family Mystery

A relaxing Labor Day camping trip in Oregon turned into one of the state's most haunting unsolved mysteries. In September 1974, Richard and Belinda Cowden and their two young children disappeared from their campsite near Carberry Creek without leaving behind any signs of a struggle. Their truck, belongings, fresh milk, wallets, and even their valuables were still sitting exactly where they should have been, but the family had vanished. After one of the largest searches in Oregon history failed to uncover a single clue, hope slowly faded. Then, seven months later, hikers made a gruesome discovery deep in the forest. Hidden inside a secluded cave and scattered across a nearby hillside were the remains of the missing family. The shocking crime scene raised even more questions than answers, including whether the victims had been held somewhere before they were killed. Investigators eventually focused on violent ex-con Dwain Lee Little, whose criminal past, connection to the area, and possible access to the suspected murder weapon made him the leading suspect. Yet despite decades of investigation, no one has ever been charged with the murders of the Cowden family. In this episode of True Crime Recaps, we examine the evidence, the suspects, and the disturbing mystery that continues to haunt Oregon more than 50 years later. #TrueCrimeRecaps #CowdenFamily #RichardCowden #BelindaCowden #DavidCowden #MelissaCowden #DwainLeeLittle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices