“Climber Found Crucified on Cliff Face — 4 Years After Vanishing in Yosemite: A Tale of Betrayal, Ambition, and Murder”
In the serene yet perilous expanse of Yosemite National Park, where nature’s beauty can be as breathtaking as its dangers, a gruesome discovery would shatter the tranquility of this iconic wilderness. When two young rock climbers, Jason Cooperman and Eric Lewis, set out to conquer the sheer walls of Indian Canyon in October 2018, they stumbled upon a sight that would haunt them forever. What they initially thought was a peculiar art installation turned out to be a chilling testament to human cruelty—a body, crucified on the rock face, secured with metal carabiners and rods, and bearing the haunting inscription, “He lied to us all.”
The discovery of Thomas Roland’s remains, four years after his disappearance, sent shockwaves through the climbing community and beyond. As investigators pieced together the events leading to his death, they uncovered a dark tale of ambition, deception, and ultimately, murder.
The Rise and Fall of Thomas Roland
Born in Denver, Colorado, in the late 1970s, Thomas “Tom” Roland was a passionate climber from a young age. His father, a forest ranger, instilled in him a love for the mountains, and by the age of 20, Tom had already completed over 100 climbs of varying difficulty. He earned a professional mountain guide certification and began working at Ascent Peak Adventures, an elite mountaineering club catering to wealthy clients seeking adventure without the requisite skills.
Tom’s reputation as a reliable guide grew, and in 2008, he achieved a significant milestone by completing a solo ascent of Mount Denali in Alaska. This accomplishment catapulted him into the spotlight within the mountaineering community, leading to sponsorships and opportunities to publish articles on climbing techniques and safety. However, beneath this façade of success lay a restless ambition; Tom yearned for fame and recognition beyond the climbing world.
In 2011, a pivotal moment occurred when Tom met Mark Delano, a former Marine turned entrepreneur, during a corporate climbing event. Their conversation turned to historical tourism, and Tom shared a legend about Confederate soldiers hiding gold in the Colorado mountains during the gold rush. Intrigued, Delano proposed financing an expedition to uncover these artifacts, envisioning a documentary project that could elevate both their profiles.
Over the next two years, Tom dedicated himself to this venture, gathering information and securing initial funding. However, as expeditions yielded no significant findings, tensions mounted between him and his investors. Delano’s patience wore thin, and by spring 2013, he demanded results or a refund. Faced with mounting pressure and a tarnished reputation, Tom made a fateful decision: he fabricated evidence of discoveries, presenting aged artifacts he had purchased from antique dealers as genuine finds.
When Delano discovered the deception, the fallout was swift and brutal. Legal threats loomed, and Tom’s financial situation became increasingly dire. In September 2014, desperate to escape his problems, Tom announced a solo climbing trip to Yosemite National Park, claiming he needed to clear his head. Little did he know that this journey would lead to his demise.
The Disappearance
On September 19, 2014, Tom registered at the park entrance, indicating plans to spend three days climbing the Arrowhead Spur, a challenging route on North Dome. He took standard climbing gear and appeared calm to the park rangers during his check-in. However, when he failed to return as scheduled, concern grew, and a search operation was launched.
Despite extensive efforts, including aerial searches and ground teams scouring the area, no trace of Tom was found. His belongings were discovered at the base of the cliff, his backpack intact but without any signs of struggle. As weeks turned into months, the case grew cold, and Thomas Roland was officially declared missing under mysterious circumstances.
The Chilling Discovery
Fast forward to October 3, 2018, when Cooperman and Lewis encountered the horrifying sight on the ledge. The body, secured in a crucifixion pose, was a shocking reminder of the dangers that could lurk even in nature’s most beautiful settings. As they reported their findings to the park ranger service, the investigation began anew.
When rescue teams reached the scene, they confirmed the worst fears: the body of Thomas Roland had been found, and the circumstances surrounding his death were anything but ordinary. Metal rods and carabiners secured his body to the rock, suggesting a deliberate and calculated act. The inscription on his chest sent chills down the spines of those who read it—“He lied to us all.” This message hinted at a dark motive behind his death, raising questions about betrayal and vengeance.
Forensic analysis confirmed that Thomas had been alive when he was secured to the rock. Medical experts discovered multiple injuries indicating trauma consistent with prolonged restraint, suggesting that he had suffered immensely before succumbing to blood loss and dehydration. The gruesome details of his demise painted a picture of a premeditated murder, carried out with chilling precision.
The Investigation Unfolds
Mariposa County Sheriff Thomas Clark spearheaded the investigation, determined to uncover the truth behind this heinous crime. Evidence collected from the scene, including climbing equipment and bloodstains, pointed to a calculated act of violence. DNA tests confirmed the blood belonged to Thomas, while hair found nearby did not match his, suggesting the presence of another individual at the scene.
As investigators delved deeper into Thomas’s past, they uncovered his tumultuous relationship with Mark Delano. While Delano had provided an alibi for the time of Roland’s disappearance, inconsistencies began to emerge. His phone records indicated activity in the Yosemite area around the time of Thomas’s disappearance, leading detectives to question his involvement further.
The breakthrough came when investigators obtained a warrant to collect DNA samples from Delano. When the results returned, they matched the hair found at the crime scene. On December 12, 2018, Mark Delano was arrested for first-degree murder, his life unraveling as the evidence against him mounted.
The Trial and Aftermath
During the trial, the prosecution painted a picture of a man consumed by jealousy and rage, driven to commit an act of unspeakable cruelty. Delano’s defense attempted to argue that the murder was a crime of passion, but the evidence presented—carefully planned actions, climbing equipment, and the brutal method of execution—contradicted this narrative.
Witness testimonies from Thomas’s family revealed the profound impact of his disappearance on their lives. They demanded justice, seeking the maximum punishment for the man who had taken their loved one away. On June 6, 2019, after weeks of deliberation, the jury found Delano guilty on all counts, sentencing him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In her closing statement, Judge Elizabeth Marquez condemned the brutality of the crime, emphasizing the disregard for human life displayed by Delano. As he was taken into custody, the weight of his actions settled heavily on the shoulders of the entire climbing community.
A Legacy of Caution
The story of Thomas Roland serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from ambition and financial disputes. The climbing community mourned the loss of one of their own, and Yosemite National Park gained a dark legend that would echo through its canyons for years to come. The ledge where Thomas was found became an unofficial pilgrimage site for climbers, a place where they could pay their respects to a man whose life had been cut short by betrayal.
In the aftermath, Ascent Peak Adventures erected a memorial plaque in Thomas’s honor, ensuring that his memory would live on in the hearts of those who shared his passion for the mountains. His family held a proper funeral only after the trial concluded, scattering his ashes in the Colorado mountains he loved so dearly.
Mark Delano’s appeal against his sentence was ultimately denied, with the courts upholding the decision based on the severity of the crime. He remains incarcerated, a chilling reminder of how ambition can lead to tragic consequences when coupled with greed and betrayal.
Thomas Roland’s story is a tragic tale that underscores the importance of integrity and the potential darkness that can lurk behind seemingly innocent pursuits. As climbers continue to scale the heights of Yosemite, they carry with them the memory of a man who dared to dream big but paid the ultimate price for his ambition.
