Cary Stayner was born on August 13, 1961, in Merced, California, stepping into what seemed like a typical family life. He was the oldest of five children, growing up in a lively household. However, his seemingly normal childhood took a drastic turn when his younger brother, Steven, was kidnapped in 1972 by a child molester named Kenneth Parnell. This event shattered the peace of the Stayner family.

Steven was just seven years old at the time and wouldn’t see his family again until he escaped seven years later, bringing another boy, Timothy White, to safety with him. Steven's return was a media sensation, his story capturing the nation's attention and later becoming the subject of a TV miniseries. Amidst this turmoil, Cary felt neglected and overshadowed by the focus on his brother.

Aside from family issues, Cary had his own struggles. Diagnosed with trichotillomania at the age of three, he faced relentless bullying in school due to the bald spots caused by his condition. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically and creatively, earning the title of "most creative" in his high school yearbook for his cartoon work.

After high school, Cary worked as a window installer. His adult life was marked by mental health struggles, including a suicide attempt in 1991 and a stint in a mental institution in 1995. He also had run-ins with the law, including arrests for drug possession.

Cary Stayner was an American man who committed very serious crimes in Yosemite National Park in California. His actions shocked the community and those who heard about the events from afar.

The first tragic event happened in February 1999 when Cary Stayner encountered Carole Sund, her daughter Juli, and their friend Silvina Pelosso staying at a lodge where he worked. 

He tricked them into letting him into their room, claiming he needed to fix a problem. Unfortunately, he had other intentions, and he attacked and eventually took the lives of all three. After committing these horrifying acts, Stayner tried to cover up his deeds by disposing of the victims’ belongings and setting their car on fire with two of the bodies inside. The third victim, Juli, was found later in a different location, adding to the horror of the situation.

The community and the authorities were in a state of fear and confusion until Cary Stayner struck again in July of the same year. This time, his victim was Joie Armstrong, a naturalist at the park. Stayner abducted her near her home and tragically ended her life. However, this time, evidence led the police directly to Stayner. They found Joie's car with his handprint and arrested him shortly after.

During his trial, the details of these acts were laid out in court, and Stayner eventually confessed to all four murders. He explained his actions by claiming voices in his head compelled him to commit these crimes. Despite attempts to argue for insanity, Cary Stayner was found guilty of four counts of murder in 2001. He was sentenced to death and is currently on death row in California.