Mother and Daughter Vanished in 2013 — 10 Years Later Tourist Made a Horrific Discovery in Forest
On October 22, 2023, a seemingly routine hike in the Pisgah National Forest would lead to a discovery that would send shockwaves through the community and reopen the wounds of a decade-old mystery. Michael Renick, an experienced hiker, was exploring the remote trails of this beautiful yet unforgiving wilderness when he stumbled upon something horrifying—a tarp covering the remains of a mother and her 11-year-old daughter who had vanished ten years prior.
The remnants of Sandra Webb and her daughter, Hannah, were hidden beneath layers of earth and foliage, and nearby lay a disturbing collection of animal skulls, a necklace made of children’s teeth, and a note hinting at ritualistic practices. This grim find would unveil one of the most horrific crimes in North Carolina’s history, a tale of loss, desperation, and the dark side of human belief.
A Day That Changed Everything
The story began on August 17, 2013, when Sandra Webb, a devoted mother and former biology teacher, planned a weekend hiking trip with her daughter, Hannah. After moving to Asheville, North Carolina, following her divorce, Sandra sought solace in nature and adventure, hoping to instill a love of the outdoors in her daughter.
On that fateful morning, the weather was perfect for a hike. Sandra packed their belongings into her red 2007 Honda Civic, picked up Hannah from her grandmother Martha Clark’s house, and set out for the Pisgah National Forest. The two shared a close bond, with Hannah dreaming of becoming a veterinarian and enjoying every moment spent outdoors, despite her fears of thunderstorms and heights.
At 10:50 AM, Sandra called her mother, confirming they had arrived at the parking lot near the Blue Ridge Parkway and were preparing to hit the trail. This brief conversation would be the last anyone would hear from them.
The Search Begins
When Sandra and Hannah failed to return home that Sunday evening, Martha Clark grew concerned. After several failed attempts to reach them by phone, she reported their disappearance to the Asheville police at 9:00 PM. Officer Robert Turner took the report and initiated a search, which was expedited due to the involvement of a child.
The Transylvania County Search and Rescue Service mobilized quickly, and by early Monday morning, teams were combing the Shining Rock Trail. They found Sandra’s locked vehicle in the parking lot, with personal items still inside, but no sign of the mother and daughter. As the days passed, the search grew increasingly desperate, with volunteers and rescue teams scouring the area for any trace of Sandra and Hannah.
Despite the extensive efforts, the search yielded no results. The terrain was challenging, and the lack of evidence led authorities to reclassify the case as a missing persons investigation. Detective Michael Stone took over the case, examining all possible leads, including potential family conflicts and sightings.
The Dark Turn
As the investigation unfolded, Detective Stone learned about Thomas Griggs, a reclusive man living in the woods near the forest. Griggs had been in contact with Sandra, discussing her interest in a simpler life away from the chaos of the city. His background, however, was troubling. A former member of a religious sect that had disbanded under scandal, Griggs had a history of obsessive behavior and was known to collect items associated with childhood.
Stone’s investigation into Griggs did not yield any concrete evidence linking him to the disappearance, but the man’s strange behavior and isolated lifestyle raised suspicions. Despite this, the investigation began to stall, with no new leads emerging.
Martha Clark, refusing to give up hope, hired a private investigator, Richard Brown, who proposed a theory that Sandra and Hannah were victims of a serial killer. He analyzed statistics on disappearances in national parks and found several similar cases, but authorities dismissed his claims due to a lack of evidence.
The Long Wait for Answers
As months turned into years, the case of Sandra and Hannah Webb became one of the most high-profile missing persons cases in Transylvania County. The investigation faced numerous setbacks, and the media coverage began to wane. Martha continued her search, organizing volunteer groups to comb the forest, but each effort ended in disappointment.
Then, in the fall of 2014, a breakthrough occurred when a tourist found a child’s backpack in the woods. The discovery reignited hopes of finding Hannah alive, but forensic analysis revealed that the backpack had been in the forest for a long time, and no definitive evidence linked it to the missing girl.
Despite the lack of progress, the case remained open, and Detective Stone continued to follow up on any new leads. However, the investigation was hampered by a lack of resources and the passage of time, which often complicates missing persons cases.
The Gruesome Discovery
Fast forward to October 22, 2023, when Michael Renick’s hike took a dark turn. After discovering the tarp in the ravine, he was overwhelmed by the smell of decay. When he uncovered the sleeping bag, he realized he had stumbled upon the remains of two individuals. The shock of what he found compelled him to contact the authorities, leading to the investigation that would finally unravel the mystery of Sandra and Hannah Webb.
The forensic team that arrived at the scene quickly recognized the significance of the discovery. The remains were identified as belonging to Sandra and Hannah, and the additional evidence—animal skulls, a necklace made of children’s teeth, and the note—pointed to something far more sinister than an accidental death.
The Investigation Unfolds
As forensic experts examined the remains and the surrounding evidence, it became clear that the case involved ritualistic elements. The presence of the animal bones and the necklace suggested a dark motive behind the deaths. Investigators began to piece together the timeline of events leading up to the tragic disappearance.
The investigation focused on Thomas Griggs, whose connection to the case became increasingly suspect. His history of isolation and obsession with purity, combined with the evidence found at the scene, painted a troubling picture. Griggs had been living in the area around the time of the disappearance, and the details from his diaries revealed a disturbing mindset.
The Dark Truth Revealed
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Griggs had manipulated Sandra into trusting him, luring her and Hannah into the forest under false pretenses. The entries in his diaries described a twisted belief system centered around purity and the need to “save” innocent souls from the corruption of the modern world.
The detectives reconstructed the sequence of events, concluding that Griggs had ambushed Sandra and Hannah on the trail, killing them in a brutal attack before performing a ritual burial. The evidence pointed toward a calculated plan, revealing the depths of Griggs’s delusions and the horrific fate that had befallen the mother and daughter.
Closure and Reflection
On November 1, 2023, Detective Wilson officially closed the case of the Webb disappearances, confirming that Sandra and Hannah were victims of a religiously motivated murder committed by Thomas Griggs. The investigation had uncovered a tragic story of manipulation, fanaticism, and loss.
Martha Clark received the news with a mix of relief and sorrow. While she finally had answers about her daughter and granddaughter, the pain of their loss remained. She arranged a dignified funeral for Sandra and Hannah, honoring their memory and the love they had shared.
The story of Sandra and Hannah Webb became a cautionary tale, shedding light on the dangers of isolation and radicalization. It served as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need to protect those who may be vulnerable to manipulation.
As the years passed, the case remained a haunting memory for those in the community, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface. The forest, once a place of beauty and adventure, became a symbol of loss, carrying with it the weight of untold stories and unanswered questions.
In the end, the tragic fate of Sandra and Hannah Webb serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked fanaticism and the importance of looking out for one another in an increasingly complex world. Their story, though marked by tragedy, will not be forgotten, as the community continues to honor their memory and seek justice for those who have vanished without a trace.
