Four tourists went missing in Louisiana, and four years later, this was found buried underground that sent chills down everyone’s spine.

In the spring of 2014, a sense of adventure hung in the air as four friends from Dallas, Texas, embarked on what was supposed to be a thrilling weekend camping trip to the Casachi National Forest in Louisiana. Colin Hayes, Derek Pullman, Justin Lamb, and Andrew Finch were seasoned outdoorsmen, familiar with the wilderness and eager to explore the uncharted parts of the forest. Little did they know, this journey would lead them into a dark abyss from which none would return.

The Journey Begins

On March 14, 2014, the four friends set off early in the morning, driving two vehicles—a silver Chevrolet Tahoe and a dark blue Dodge Ram pickup truck. Their excitement was palpable as they shared plans to camp near the Saline Bayou area, fish in the streams, and hike through the less-traveled trails. They texted their families, promising to return by March 17, but as the sun set on that fateful day, their phones went silent.

By March 18, concern turned to panic when Colin Hayes failed to show up for work. His supervisor’s repeated calls went unanswered, and when his wife, Amanda, realized he hadn’t returned from the trip, alarm bells rang. She quickly contacted the other families, only to discover that none of the men had been heard from since Saturday afternoon. Desperate, the families gathered and reported the group missing to the Dallas Police Department.

The Search Effort

The search began the following day, March 19, with a coordinated effort involving sheriff’s deputies, forest rangers, and volunteers. They gathered at the Saline Bayou entrance, the last known location of the four friends. The search teams scoured the area, but found only their parked vehicles, locked and undisturbed—a chilling sign of the mystery that lay ahead.

Days turned into weeks, and the search intensified. Dogs were brought in to track scents, helicopters scanned the forest, and volunteers combed through every inch of the terrain. Yet, despite their best efforts, there was no sign of the men. No clothing, no equipment, and no trace of their presence remained. It was as if they had vanished into thin air.

As the weeks dragged on, hope began to fade. The families refused to give up, organizing their own search parties and distributing flyers. Local news stations covered the story, urging anyone with information to come forward. But as time passed, public interest waned, and the case became one of those haunting mysteries that lingered in the shadows of the community.

A Shocking Discovery

Then, in April 2018, a routine habitat restoration project in the Casachi National Forest led to an unexpected and chilling discovery. Workers unearthed a human skull buried beneath the soil, revealing a rusted arrow embedded in it. The forensic team confirmed that the skull belonged to an adult male, and the arrow wound indicated a violent death. The shockwaves of this discovery rippled through the community, reopening the investigation into the disappearance of the four friends.

The skull was identified as belonging to Andrew Finch, one of the missing men. The revelation sent the families into a whirlwind of emotions—relief that they had finally found something tangible, but horror at the implications of the discovery. If Andrew had been killed, what had happened to Colin, Derek, and Justin?

The Hunt for Answers

As investigators delved deeper into the case, they found personal belongings of the other three men in the possession of a reclusive local resident named Raymond Ducet. Ducet lived near the forest and had a history of confrontations with outsiders. His property was searched, revealing tools for crafting arrows and disturbing journal entries that hinted at a violent mindset.

Ducet’s demeanor during questioning was evasive, and his claims of self-defense raised more questions than answers. He described a confrontation with the four men, claiming they had trespassed on his territory. His partial confession hinted at a chaotic encounter, but he refused to elaborate on the fate of the other three men.

As the investigation unfolded, the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. The evidence pointed to Ducet as the likely perpetrator, but without the bodies of Colin, Derek, and Justin, the prosecution faced a daunting challenge.

The Trial

The trial of Raymond Ducet began in January 2019, capturing the attention of the nation. The courtroom was filled with family members of the victims, all seeking justice for their loved ones. The prosecution presented a compelling case, detailing the evidence that linked Ducet to Andrew Finch’s murder and the disappearance of the other three men.

Witnesses testified about the men’s plans for the trip, their excitement, and their love for the outdoors. Forensic experts explained the nature of Andrew’s fatal injury, while detectives recounted the harrowing search efforts. The prosecution laid out a timeline of events, painting Ducet as a predator who had taken advantage of the four friends’ innocent adventure.

The defense, however, argued that Ducet had acted in self-defense, claiming that the confrontation had spiraled out of control. They emphasized the lack of remains for the other three men, suggesting that they might still be alive or had met some other fate.

The Verdict

After days of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict that resonated throughout the courtroom. Ducet was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Andrew Finch, as well as the murders of Colin Hayes, Derek Pullman, and Justin Lamb. The families erupted in tears, relief washing over them as justice was served.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge delivered a powerful statement, acknowledging the brutality of the crimes and the pain inflicted on the families. Ducet was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, a fitting punishment for a man who had shown no remorse for his actions.

A Lasting Legacy

In the years that followed, the memories of Colin, Derek, Justin, and Andrew lived on in the hearts of their families and the community. A memorial was erected near the entrance of the Casachi National Forest, a tribute to the four friends who had set out for adventure but never returned. Their story became a somber reminder of how quickly a peaceful outing could turn into a nightmare, and how the beauty of the wilderness could conceal the darkest of human actions.

While the search for the remains of the other three men continued, the families found solace in the knowledge that justice had been served. They held onto the hope that one day, the forest would reveal its secrets, bringing closure to a tragic chapter in their lives.

The case of the four friends remains etched in the annals of unsolved mysteries, a haunting tale that serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring bonds of friendship.