Girl Vanished in Mount Shasta — Weeks Later Found In A Cage 40ft Up, AND SHE WAS SINGING…
On September 12, 2015, the sun rose over the majestic peaks of Mount Shasta, casting a golden hue across the landscape. It was a day that promised adventure, a day when 26-year-old Alyssa Carter sought solace from the chaos of her life. As the chief administrator of a bustling water park in Redding, California, Alyssa had spent her summer surrounded by the laughter of children and the demands of her job. But on this day, she was determined to escape the noise and find peace in the tranquil embrace of nature.
With a heart full of hope, Alyssa packed her Subaru Forester with essentials—water, her camera, and a desire for silence. She left her busy life behind, driving up the winding Everett Memorial Highway, the anticipation of solitude growing with each mile. Little did she know that this journey would lead her into a nightmare, a mystery that would haunt her family and the community for years to come.
The Last Known Sightings
Arriving at the Bunny Flat parking lot around 8:15 AM, Alyssa was greeted by the crisp mountain air and the vibrant colors of fall. Witnesses later described her as focused and determined, checking her backpack and adjusting her camera strap with meticulous care. The parking lot was filled with tourists and climbers, but Alyssa chose to distance herself from the crowd, seeking a moment of peace away from the noise.
At 11:00 AM, a group of students from the University of Oregon spotted her near a fork in the trail, capturing the serene moment as she aimed her camera at the towering trees. They remembered her intent expression, completely absorbed in her pursuit of the perfect shot. This was the last confirmed sighting of Alyssa Carter.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the Bunny Flat parking lot began to empty. Cars left one by one, their headlights fading into the twilight. By 10:00 PM, Alyssa’s mother, worried after receiving no word from her daughter, raised the alarm. A missing person report was filed, and the search began at dawn on September 13th.
The Search Efforts
The initial response was swift and massive. Park rangers, volunteers, and search and rescue teams mobilized, their hearts heavy with concern. Alyssa’s father, a former military officer, was determined to find his daughter. The search began at the parking lot, where her car remained, untouched and alone.
As search dogs picked up Alyssa’s scent near her vehicle, they led teams into the dense, thorny underbrush of the forest. The dogs followed a path that surprised even the most experienced rescuers, leading them through wild terrain that hadn’t seen human footprints in years. It was a challenging area, filled with thick manzanita bushes and towering trees, far from the well-trodden trails.
After several hours of searching, the dogs led the teams to a small clearing where a volunteer discovered a black plastic lens cap lying on the vibrant green moss. It was a piece of Alyssa’s Canon camera, and her father immediately recognized it. Hope surged within him; if her belongings were here, she must be close by.
But that hope quickly turned to despair as the dogs lost her scent entirely. The trail had vanished without a trace, as if Alyssa had been lifted into the air at that very moment. The search teams faced a daunting reality: they had entered the wilderness with the expectation of finding a missing hiker, but now they were met with silence and unanswered questions.
The Pain of Waiting
Days turned into weeks as the search continued, but the forest remained indifferent. The families of Alyssa and her loved ones held onto hope, organizing vigils and prayer services, but the agony of uncertainty weighed heavily on their hearts. The community rallied around them, offering support and sharing memories of the vibrant young woman who had disappeared.
As the seasons changed, the search for Alyssa became a haunting reminder of the fragility of life. The park service received occasional tips and sightings, but each lead ended in disappointment. The wilderness seemed to have swallowed her whole, leaving no trace of her presence.
By the time the search was scaled back, the pain of waiting had become unbearable. The families had to confront the harsh reality that Alyssa might never be found. The case was officially classified as a missing persons investigation, but for those who knew her, the hope of her return never truly faded.
A Break in the Silence
Weeks turned into months, and just as the families began to accept the unthinkable, a breakthrough came on October 10, 2015. A team of loggers working in a remote section of the forest noticed something unusual—a haunting melody echoing through the trees. It was a woman’s voice singing, not a cry for help, but a strange, mechanical tune that sent chills down their spines.
As they approached the sound, they discovered a massive wooden cage suspended 40 feet above the ground, hanging from the branches of a giant Douglas fir tree. Inside, they found Alyssa, emaciated and covered in dirt, her face etched with fear and confusion. Despite her dire condition, she was singing, her voice a haunting melody that echoed through the stillness of the forest.
The Rescue
The loggers immediately called for help, and soon law enforcement arrived on the scene. As they assessed the situation, they were struck by the bizarre nature of the discovery. Alyssa was alive, but her circumstances were unimaginable. How had she ended up in a cage, and why was she singing?
Sergeant James Potts, a veteran rescue worker, climbed to the cage, carefully assessing the situation. He found Alyssa trembling, her eyes wide with fear but filled with a spark of hope. “I’m here to help you,” he reassured her, trying to calm her as he worked to free her from her prison.
With each nail he pulled from the cage, Alyssa’s singing grew softer, her voice cracking as she realized she was about to be rescued. When the door finally swung open, she collapsed into Potts’ arms, overwhelmed by the reality of her freedom. But the trauma of her experience lingered, and she struggled to comprehend what had happened to her.
The Aftermath
As Alyssa was transported to the hospital, the investigation into her disappearance began in earnest. Detective Thomas Blake and his team worked tirelessly to piece together the events that had led to her captivity. They examined the cage, looking for clues that could lead them to her captor.
Forensic experts analyzed the structure, uncovering evidence that revealed the chilling reality of her imprisonment. The cage had been expertly constructed, designed to keep her hidden and silent. The investigation led them to a man named Jasper Benson, whose background revealed a history of isolation and obsession.
As the pieces fell into place, the detectives realized that Alyssa’s disappearance was not a random act of fate but the result of a calculated plan by a disturbed individual. The community was rocked by the revelation, and the story of Alyssa’s captivity became a cautionary tale about the dangers that lurked in the wilderness.
The Trial
In the months that followed, Alyssa faced the daunting task of healing from her trauma. With the support of her family and community, she began to rebuild her life, but the scars of her experience would remain. The trial of Jasper Benson drew national attention, as the details of Alyssa’s captivity were revealed in the courtroom.
As Alyssa took the stand, she recounted her experience with a strength that astonished everyone. She spoke of her determination to survive, her will to live despite the horrors she had faced. The courtroom was silent as she shared her story, and the impact of her words resonated deeply with all who were present.
Jasper Benson was ultimately found guilty of kidnapping and torture, sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict brought a sense of justice, but for Alyssa, the journey of healing was just beginning.
Conclusion: A New Chapter
Alyssa Carter’s story became one of resilience and strength. She emerged from her ordeal not just as a survivor, but as a symbol of hope for others who had faced unimaginable challenges. The community rallied around her, supporting her as she shared her story and advocated for awareness about the dangers of the wilderness.
In the years that followed, Alyssa dedicated her life to helping others, using her experience to educate people about safety in the outdoors. Her journey was a testament to the power of the human spirit, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope.
The memory of her captivity would never fade, but Alyssa refused to let it define her. Instead, she chose to embrace life, to cherish every moment, and to inspire others to find their own strength in the face of adversity. Her story became a beacon of light, illuminating the path for those who had lost their way, reminding them that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way back to the light.
