Deadly Secrets: The Caldwell Ranch Murders

In June 2017, a horrifying discovery on the Caldwell Ranch, a secluded Idaho property, unraveled a chilling web of deception, infidelity, and murder. Three bodies—Cheryl Baker, Nadja Medley, and her teenage daughter, Payton—were found under a tarp in an abandoned shed, along with three lifeless dogs. All were killed execution-style. The connection between the victims? A man by the name Mike Bullinger. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered the tangled threads of Mike's history: a pattern of manipulation, domestic violence, and betrayal. What ensued next was an all-out manhunt stretched across three states, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho, involving the FBI, the US Marshalls, the National Park Service and local authorities. The former pilot and survivalist vanished into the wilderness, leaving behind a white Ford Focus near Grand Teton National Park and countless unanswered questions. Did Mike Bullinger flee to escape justice? Or did he meet his end in the vast, unforgiving wilderness he knew so well? This episode delves into the dark complexities of the case, exploring the lives of the victims, Cheryl, Nadja and Payton, Mike Bullinger’s shadowy past, and the eerie possibilities of what became of him. Is he hiding in plain sight—or has the forest swallowed his secrets forever?

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Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff (bltzwolff@gmail.com).

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References:

ABC4 News. (2021, January 17). ​Suspect remains at large two years after the murders of three Utah women.​ ABC4 News. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.abc4.com/news/suspect-remains-at-large-two-years-after-the-murders-of-three-utah-women/

Idaho News. (2019, February 19). ​Investigation Discovery to spotlight Caldwell triple homicide, Gerald Bullinger case.​ Idaho News. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://idahonews.com/news/local/investigation-discovery-to-spotlight-caldwell-triple-homicide-gerald-bullinger-case

Idaho Statesman. (2017, June 21). Dead bodies at Idaho home: Owner wanted on felony warrant. Retrieved from http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article157378034.html

Idaho Statesman. (2017, August 8). Remaining two victims ID'd in Caldwell triple murder. Retrieved from http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article166066922.html

Idaho Statesman. (2017, July 29). Last victims identified in triple homicide on Idaho farm. Retrieved from http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article165568297.html

Investigation Discovery. (n.d.). Gerald "Mike" Bullinger on the run: Living a double life. In In Pursuit with John Walsh. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/id-shows/on-tv0/in-pursuit-with-john-walsh/articles/gerald-mike-bullinger-on-the-run-living-double-life

Lowe, E. (2019, June 23). Triple homicide investigation continues 2 years later. The Spectrum. https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/06/22/triple-homicide-investigation-continues-2-years-later/1539711001/

Mitchell, M. (2023, July 6). Murder suspect still not located after 6 years. Jackson Hole Radio. https://jacksonholeradio.com/murder-suspect-still-not-located-after-6-years/#h-the-triple-murder-case-in-idaho

Press, A. (2017, July 3). Utah victim in Idaho triple slaying was retired teacher. KBOI. https://idahonews.com/news/local/utah-victim-in-idaho-triple-slaying-was-retired-teacher

Sokmensuer, H. (2018, August 17). Married murder suspect charmed single mom - then confrontation with wife led to triple slayings. People.com. https://people.com/crime/mike-bullinger-murder-wife-girlfriend-idaho-house/

Standard-Examiner. (2021, April 18). Gerald Mike Bullinger. Standard-Examiner. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.standard.net/gerald-mike-bullinger/article_62f853cf-c795-5e4c-b7c9-b450f62c484c.html

Standard-Examiner. (2017, July 1). Friends remember Ogden teacher Cheryl Baker as an artistic, kind woman. Standard-Examiner. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.standard.net/police-fire/friends-remember-ogden-teacher-cheryl-baker-as-an-artistic-kind/article_674938d9-d357-5758-abc1-d737dc57fc3f.html