DAVID "DAVE" EDWIN LEWIS: Murder & arson 13 miles east of Ashland, OR - 4 September 2008

David "Dave" Lewis was a 46 year old father of three. A jack of all trades and good man in any camp, Dave was well known and well respected in his mountain community where he lived on the summit of Dead Indian Memorial Road, 13 miles east of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon for more than 20 years.

David was found dead after a fire at his rural cabin at 12801 Dead Indian Memorial Road. He had been murdered, shot & the cabin set fire.

David's remains were identified by DNA. There was also ANOTHER FIRE near Dave's cabin that same night, at a vacant vacation cabin at 18196 Dead Indian Memorial Road, about 5-6 miles away.

Edited to add media link: Dave Lewis was found murdered in his rural cabin east of Ashland, Oregon in 2008. His murder remains UNSOLVED!

 

[Red Clover]

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Unknown Troy Carney & David Lewis Killer(s)- Oregon- 2008 | America's Most Wanted Fans (an unofficial true crime media fan forum with focus on fugitive manhunts)

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I am not sure who authored this article- but this first line is inaccurate.

"Two men were killed sometime in the early hours before dawn on September 4, 2008"

Although both Dave & Troy were found on 9/4/2008, From what LW has communicated directly to me, Troy was most likely killed overnight on 9/1-9/2 as Troy's mom started calling him about 6:00 am on 9/2 and was not able to to reach him.

Troy's mom has been adamant that there was never any connection between Dave & Troy.

The only connection I am aware of is that this relative of Dave's reached out to LW a few days after my mom did.

LW has told me of inexplicable and downright cruel behavior by this person in their interactions with LW but who has publicly allied themselves with Troy's family and on the side of "justice"

For instance, this relative of Dave's accused LW of having had the time to travel from Florida to Oregon to murder her own son. That's still a source of pain to this day.

This relative also told LW in those first conversations that they had not been told by family of Dave's passing for "a few days" and that their family didn't want them to travel to Oregon for the memorial because their family would think that "they did it" that they murdered Dave.

This same person was quoted in a newspaper article on 9/5/2008, the very next day after Dave's death.

Why would they say things like that to LW?
What did their family know?

Unless they were a known menace to David, or had been in the Rogue Valley or were still in the valley, why would their family think that?

It seems like an unusual thing to say about oneself.

I still have so many questions after 15 years.

️

 

[Kimster]

Hi I am not surprised my mom didn't mention it, she's the one that showed me the original Ashland Daily Tidings newspaper article and she started the thread for Dave on WS and had reached out to Dave's relative to help them set up a MySpace account and an email.

I had seen Dave's relative at the memorial. They had been an assistant manager at The Beanery in Ashland where I worked in the mid 80's. That's how I met Dave & JF was through this relative that I worked with.

It was after this relative asked my mom and I to lie about petty things (independent of one another) and their questionable online & public behavior that we distanced ourselves.

My mom stopped posting on that thread at some point and I disassociated myself from this person.

There are more details of course but there's only so much my brain can handle. All for now.

️

OK you just answered my question about the relative being in the area. For some reason I thought the relative was in California. Probably got another case crossed in my mind.

 

[Kimster]

I am not sure who authored this article- but this first line is inaccurate.

"Two men were killed sometime in the early hours before dawn on September 4, 2008"

Although both Dave & Troy were found on 9/4/2008, From what LW has communicated directly to me, Troy was most likely killed overnight on 9/1-9/2 as Troy's mom started calling him about 6:00 am on 9/2 and was not able to to reach him.

Troy's mom has been adamant that there was never any connection between Dave & Troy.

The only connection I am aware of is that this relative of Dave's reached out to LW a few days after my mom did.

LW has told me of inexplicable and downright cruel behavior by this person in their interactions with LW but who has publicly allied themselves with Troy's family and on the side of "justice"

For instance, this relative of Dave's accused LW of having had the time to travel from Florida to Oregon to murder her own son. That's still a source of pain to this day.

This relative also told LW in those first conversations that they had not been told by family of Dave's passing for "a few days" and that their family didn't want them to travel to Oregon for the memorial because their family would think that "they did it" that they murdered Dave.

This same person was quoted in a newspaper article on 9/5/2008, the very next day after Dave's death.

Why would they say things like that to LW?
What did their family know?

Unless they were a known menace to David, or had been in the Rogue Valley or were still in the valley, why would their family think that?

It seems like an unusual thing to say about oneself.

I still have so many questions after 15 years.

️

You have right to think that is suspicious. I think it’s suspicious as could be!

 

[Red Clover]

I remember now about the relative that was asking for the money. I can’t remember if there was evidence that the relative was in the area at the time or not?

That is the one piece that I have not figured out yet. The article on the 5th makes it appear as if they are in Palmer AK at the time of the interview. I have reached out to Anita Burke who wrote many of the newspaper articles and she does not have a clear memory of the events.

My working theory and it has shifted as I learn new information, and this is --ENTIRELY IN MY OWN OPINION--

It's JMO-- I believe this person traveled by vehicle to the RV by Labor Day weekend 2008, met Troy (who IMO, was either an unwitting witness or a potential candidate to frame for Dave's death) confronted Dave, possibly murdering both men and setting two fires, then this person traveled back to their home in the north, received news of Dave's death, spoke with reporters, then traveled back to the RV by plane late on the 13th.

Upon arriving at the RV International Airport which isn't far from Troy's camp, went to the camp and set it on fire around 1:00 am, just in case.

This person had their 12 yo son RM with them at the memorial.

The boy is pictured on the whomurdereddavelewis blogs sifting through the ash & rubble of his Uncle Dave's cabin.

I believe RM should be interviewed about this trip now that he is an adult.

One of the things that led me to think this person could be the murderer is that when I saw them, they were using an older sedan that was stuffed to the gills with stuff, as if they were living out of it. Way more stuff than you would bring on a plane for two people for a memorial.

When I asked about the vehicle and commented on all the stuff, this person said that the vehicle had been in storage at a friend's place (for 15-25 years??)

It was fairly obvious I wasn't buying this story and the person asked me not to say anything about the car.

This has bugged me for years. This is also why I think it's possible they drove down at one point before Labor Day (Dave was expecting them to "just show up!") and then possibly flew back and forth after the murder(s) and for the memorial.

I am laying all this out in such a condensed timeline, I hope it makes sense. Please feel free to ask me anything. If I don't know I will say so.

️

ALL JMO & IMO & IME ONLY

 

[Tresir]

I have found a link to his obituary.

David Lewis - Obituary

View David Lewis's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

www.legacy.com

 

[Red Clover]

These are photos of The Ashland Daily Tidings and Medford Mail Tribune newspapers I have had since 2008.

Ashland Daily Tidings dated 9/5/2008 by Anita Burke

"Suspicious death, fires near Ashland"


"Fires"


Medford Mail Tribune 9/7/2008 by Anita Burke
"The most loving man on the mountain"


"Lewis"

 

[Tresir]

This is a link to Oregon probate office.

Oregon Judicial Department : Probate : Programs & Services : State of Oregon

Probate

www.courts.oregon.gov

Usually the nearest relative does this or an attorney is appointed. There is a phone number for queries.

Regarding these two shootings, do you know if LE had ballistics evidence? Did it match in the two crimes? Often fires are set to try and destroy such evidence.

 

[Red Clover]

This is a link to Oregon probate office.

Oregon Judicial Department : Probate : Programs & Services : State of Oregon

Probate

www.courts.oregon.gov

Usually the nearest relative does this or an attorney is appointed. There is a phone number for queries.

Regarding these two shootings, do you know if LE had ballistics evidence? Did it match in the two crimes? Often fires are set to try and destroy such evidence.

I know very little about how probate works, I will look at this link and see if I can find anything.
Thank you @Tresir ️

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office does have ballistic evidence and IIRC they have stated that it's similar but not an exact match. No reports have ever been issued that I am aware of.

Very little information about either of these cases has ever been released to the public.

Unsolved So. Oregon: From the Ashes - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

MEDFORD, Ore. –“In this case we have some strong persons of interest. But we just don’t have enough to make a strong criminal case,” said Cpt. Tim Snaith, Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office. Two shocking crimes miles apart yet connected. “I spent many agonizing months investigating this case,” said...

kobi5.com

“In this case we have some strong persons of interest. But we just don’t have enough to make a strong criminal case,” said Cpt. Tim Snaith, Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Two shocking crimes miles apart yet connected.

“I spent many agonizing months investigating this case,” said Cpt. Snaith.

Captain Snaith of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office won’t disclose the link, but confirms it’s there.

“We investigated both cases very thoroughly and looked for all the similarities and connections. People connections, things connections...”

The fires were definitely set to destroy evidence and so far that has been very effective.

It's JMO- but I believe that's one of the main factors in not having enough evidence to bring this case to prosecution.

️

 

[Tresir]

I know very little about how probate works, I will look at this link and see if I can find anything.
Thank you @Tresir ️

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office does have ballistic evidence and IIRC they have stated that it's similar but not an exact match. No reports have ever been issued that I am aware of.

Very little information about either of these cases has ever been released to the public.

Unsolved So. Oregon: From the Ashes - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

MEDFORD, Ore. –“In this case we have some strong persons of interest. But we just don’t have enough to make a strong criminal case,” said Cpt. Tim Snaith, Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office. Two shocking crimes miles apart yet connected. “I spent many agonizing months investigating this case,” said...

kobi5.com

“In this case we have some strong persons of interest. But we just don’t have enough to make a strong criminal case,” said Cpt. Tim Snaith, Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Two shocking crimes miles apart yet connected.

“I spent many agonizing months investigating this case,” said Cpt. Snaith.

Captain Snaith of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office won’t disclose the link, but confirms it’s there.

“We investigated both cases very thoroughly and looked for all the similarities and connections. People connections, things connections...”

The fires were definitely set to destroy evidence and so far that has been very effective.

It's JMO- but I believe that's one of the main factors in not having enough evidence to bring this case to prosecution.

️

So did LE ever say who these POI's were/are?

A probate register is pretty basic. Name of deceased and value of estate usually. So that's the first thing you could request. Once you have that you could then perhaps request a copy of the will.

 

[Red Clover]

So did LE ever say who these POI's were/are?

A probate register is pretty basic. Name of deceased and value of estate usually. So that's the first thing you could request. Once you have that you could then perhaps request a copy of the will.

I looked at the probate information briefly, I'll see what I can do. I appreciate your guidance.

I'm just a friend of Dave's and not a professional investigator or debate team champ (insert inside joke here)

No. The POI or persons of interest have never been publicly identified AFAIK. I asked specifically and was not given an answer.

It's a bummer although with all the misdirection over the years I would be very curious who the person or persons of interest may be .

️

 

[Red Clover]

I have found a link to his obituary.

David Lewis - Obituary

View David Lewis's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

www.legacy.com

Thank you for sharing Dave's obituary @Tresir ️

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/david-lewis-obituary?

David Edwin Lewis
Dec. 23, 1961-Sept. 4, 2008
David was born and raised in Wilmington, Del., and after journeying across the country, he settled in Ashland, Ore. Here, he met the "love of his life", J.F. They moved to the summit of the "Indian" where they were blessed with three beautiful sons. Dave shared his life with his boys and passed on his passion for the mountains. Dave made everything fun: ice fishing, snowshoeing, riding snowmobiles, dog-sledding, adventuring on motorcycles, all while teaching his sons survival skills and respect for the land.
Dave was also an avid sports fan who instilled the "love of the game" in his sons. He nurtured and encouraged their natural athleticism by tossing footballs and baseballs, even playing ice hockey in the winter. He remained loyal to his "team," the Philadelphia Eagles, through winning and losing.
As time went by, life took many twists and turns. Seasons came and went, his boys turned into young men, and all the while, Dave took pleasure in the watching. He spent his time enjoying simple things and finding beauty everywhere. Dave was an artist by nature, and a man with a unique vision who could make art with every little "treasure" he found: old scrap metal, leather, rocks, wire, string or even chain saw chains, anything worked!
A "good man in any camp," Dave was an animated storyteller with a keen wit and sense of humor. He lived from the depths of his being, stood up for the things in which he believed and shared himself and all he had with the family and friends he cherished.
A "Jack-of-all-trades" and wildland firefighter, David worked hard and played hard. He was intense and unforgettable, a rascal and a live wire. He was a sweet, sweet man who will be greatly missed. Life will go on without Dave, but the ride won't be as much fun.



Here's another archived article I just found dated 9/4/2008

One man dead, two homes burned in early-morning fires | KDRV

web.archive.org

Officials say the fires broke out within minutes of one another, just before 3 a.m. It wasn't until just before 4 a.m. that crews from Fire District 5, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and Greensprings Fire were dispatched. Crews say both structures were considered total losses on arrival.

The first fire occurred at a 100-year-old log cabin. No one was home at the time. The second occurred at a home about six miles away, where the body of a man was found in one of the bedrooms. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is not yet releasing the name of the victim. However, neighbors say he was the 'watchdog' of the neighborhood. One man tells NewsWatch 12 the victim had lived on Dead Indian Memorial Road for more than 20 years. Neighbors say he was very fire conscious and protective of the area.

The log cabin's owners say there was nothing that could have started the fire from the inside of the cabin. The building did not have electricity, and no one had used the stove. They say they don't have insurance on the building.

 

[Kimster]

That is the one piece that I have not figured out yet. The article on the 5th makes it appear as if they are in Palmer AK at the time of the interview. I have reached out to Anita Burke who wrote many of the newspaper articles and she does not have a clear memory of the events.

My working theory and it has shifted as I learn new information, and this is --ENTIRELY IN MY OWN OPINION--

It's JMO-- I believe this person traveled by vehicle to the RV by Labor Day weekend 2008, met Troy (who IMO, was either an unwitting witness or a potential candidate to frame for Dave's death) confronted Dave, possibly murdering both men and setting two fires, then this person traveled back to their home in the north, received news of Dave's death, spoke with reporters, then traveled back to the RV by plane late on the 13th.

Upon arriving at the RV International Airport which isn't far from Troy's camp, went to the camp and set it on fire around 1:00 am, just in case.

This person had their 12 yo son RM with them at the memorial.

The boy is pictured on the whomurdereddavelewis blogs sifting through the ash & rubble of his Uncle Dave's cabin.

I believe RH should be interviewed about this trip now that he is an adult.

One of the things that led me to think this person could be the murderer is that when I saw them, they were using an older sedan that was stuffed to the gills with stuff, as if they were living out of it. Way more stuff than you would bring on a plane for two people for a memorial.

When I asked about the vehicle and commented on all the stuff, this person said that the vehicle had been in storage at a friend's place (for 15-25 years??)

It was fairly obvious I wasn't buying this story and the person asked me not to say anything about the car.

This has bugged me for years. This is also why I think it's possible they drove down at one point before Labor Day (Dave was expecting them to "just show up!") and then possibly flew back and forth after the murder(s) and for the memorial.

I am laying all this out in such a condensed timeline, I hope it makes sense. Please feel free to ask me anything. If I don't know I will say so.

️

ALL JMO & IMO & IME ONLY

I wonder if they did interview the boy and that’s why they now know a connection?

 

[Red Clover]

I wonder if they did interview the boy and that’s why they now know a connection?

I had never thought of that!! See, this is what makes me glad I am here! ️

 

[GrandmaBear]

Thank you for sharing Dave's obituary @Tresir ️

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/david-lewis-obituary?

David Edwin Lewis
Dec. 23, 1961-Sept. 4, 2008
David was born and raised in Wilmington, Del., and after journeying across the country, he settled in Ashland, Ore. Here, he met the "love of his life", J.F. They moved to the summit of the "Indian" where they were blessed with three beautiful sons. Dave shared his life with his boys and passed on his passion for the mountains. Dave made everything fun: ice fishing, snowshoeing, riding snowmobiles, dog-sledding, adventuring on motorcycles, all while teaching his sons survival skills and respect for the land.
Dave was also an avid sports fan who instilled the "love of the game" in his sons. He nurtured and encouraged their natural athleticism by tossing footballs and baseballs, even playing ice hockey in the winter. He remained loyal to his "team," the Philadelphia Eagles, through winning and losing.
As time went by, life took many twists and turns. Seasons came and went, his boys turned into young men, and all the while, Dave took pleasure in the watching. He spent his time enjoying simple things and finding beauty everywhere. Dave was an artist by nature, and a man with a unique vision who could make art with every little "treasure" he found: old scrap metal, leather, rocks, wire, string or even chain saw chains, anything worked!
A "good man in any camp," Dave was an animated storyteller with a keen wit and sense of humor. He lived from the depths of his being, stood up for the things in which he believed and shared himself and all he had with the family and friends he cherished.
A "Jack-of-all-trades" and wildland firefighter, David worked hard and played hard. He was intense and unforgettable, a rascal and a live wire. He was a sweet, sweet man who will be greatly missed. Life will go on without Dave, but the ride won't be as much fun.

View attachment 21262

Here's another archived article I just found dated 9/4/2008

One man dead, two homes burned in early-morning fires | KDRV

web.archive.org

Officials say the fires broke out within minutes of one another, just before 3 a.m. It wasn't until just before 4 a.m. that crews from Fire District 5, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and Greensprings Fire were dispatched. Crews say both structures were considered total losses on arrival.

The first fire occurred at a 100-year-old log cabin. No one was home at the time. The second occurred at a home about six miles away, where the body of a man was found in one of the bedrooms. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is not yet releasing the name of the victim. However, neighbors say he was the 'watchdog' of the neighborhood. One man tells NewsWatch 12 the victim had lived on Dead Indian Memorial Road for more than 20 years. Neighbors say he was very fire conscious and protective of the area.

The log cabin's owners say there was nothing that could have started the fire from the inside of the cabin. The building did not have electricity, and no one had used the stove. They say they don't have insurance on the building.

That may be the nicest and most heartwarming obituary I have ever read. It says a lot. it also says even though divorced, there's respect or understanding between the families and/or two parents. It seems.

The obituary makes me think of my brother. I'm sure not exactly the same types but a lot of similarities.

So six miles apart and the fires within "minutes" of each other. It seems more obvious these two are related than the one in the other case with these BUT that could be too of course. Lots of fires.

You will find as you are here longer that I don't have time to keep up and when I did, I read every link, provided links and info myself back when I had more time in life, etc. but not now. I have to ask for help often as I don't have the time or I often get behind too. Just letting you know I hate to be that person but if it seems I missed something that should be apparent or was said or linked, that is why.

Meaning I have not caught up yet on the posts today and won't likely get time to read the links.

And so I rely on what everyone here posts for info in cases. If it is something I am not up on.

What I have read in the first couple of days, and I did read all but now am behind, this is definitely interesting and very odd. Both cases and how they may relate or not and the relative too.

I have picked up on he or she (thinking he and maybe you said he I can't recall) put himself front and center into the case and online and so on. I read every post up til today. Today I haven't had the time. I did read this morning and a couple on break but never went into links and haven't read all posts.

I AM someone though that tries to read posts daily, new ones, on every case I follow but I don't always manage to but that is what I strive to keep up with. I just don't get the time for the links and reading and such and if a REALLY active thread, sometimes I have to give up too and just start from the current page rather tan trying to catch up on all previous.

Anyhow, enough about that.

The obituary here says volumes to me as to who Dave was. I can read between the lines too on such a type of person pretty well. In a good way. It says so much. About family too and the relationship even with the ex. Maybe not about the relative you reference but about most and him.

Forgive me and don't answer if you don't want to, but I'm pretty much assuming that family member is a sibling? If not that then a nephew. Far more likely though a sibling if he inherited as well. Yes I did get to read some posts on break today. That money or those checks would legally go to Dave's children if he didn't have a will giving it to someone not the norm, like that relative and I doubt he did since he wasn't okay with that relative and wouldn't give him his share.

Yet I'd almost think if that relative did it he'd have done it for gain? Of course it could have been for vengeance I guess.

I am new to it so if I am off base in my thoughts forgive me. I think for what I've read I am tracking right...?

 

[Red Clover]

That may be the nicest and most heartwarming obituary I have ever read. It says a lot. it also says even though divorced, there's respect or understanding between the families and/or two parents. It seems.

I agree, it's a very sweet and well written obituary, although they had their fair share of disagreements and custody disputes there was a whole lot of love there as well.

The obituary makes me think of my brother. I'm sure not exactly the same types but a lot of similarities.

So six miles apart and the fires within "minutes" of each other. It seems more obvious these two are related than the one in the other case with these BUT that could be too of course. Lots of fires.

You will find as you are here longer that I don't have time to keep up and when I did, I read every link, provided links and info myself back when I had more time in life, etc. but not now. I have to ask for help often as I don't have the time or I often get behind too. Just letting you know I hate to be that person but if it seems I missed something that should be apparent or was said or linked, that is why.

Meaning I have not caught up yet on the posts today and won't likely get time to read the links.

And so I rely on what everyone here posts for info in cases. If it is something I am not up on.

What I have read in the first couple of days, and I did read all but now am behind, this is definitely interesting and very odd. Both cases and how they may relate or not and the relative too.

No worries @GrandmaBear
I sent out a flurry of posts and I'm not caught up myself.
I have barely begun poking around on other cases.

I have picked up on he or she (thinking he and maybe you said he I can't recall) put himself front and center into the case and online and so on. I read every post up til today. Today I haven't had the time. I did read this morning and a couple on break but never went into links and haven't read all posts.

I usually use fairly neutral pronouns, and yes, this person was quoted in an Ashland Daily Tidings newspaper article on 9/5/2008, one day after the two fires on Dead Indian Memorial Road "DIMR"

I AM someone though that tries to read posts daily, new ones, on every case I follow but I don't always manage to but that is what I strive to keep up with. I just don't get the time for the links and reading and such and if a REALLY active thread, sometimes I have to give up too and just start from the current page rather tan trying to catch up on all previous.

Anyhow, enough about that.

I totally understand and have been known to skip forward several pages in a thread myself.

The obituary here says volumes to me as to who Dave was. I can read between the lines too on such a type of person pretty well. In a good way. It says so much. About family too and the relationship even with the ex. Maybe not about the relative you reference but about most and him.

Yes, Dave was a good friend and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about his ex-wife, she's a great person and an excellent mother & grandmother AFAIK.

I know that Dave and this relative were not on good terms and hadn't seen each other for approximately 4 years per what this relative told LE. However, this person told LW, Troy's mom that they hadn't seen or heard from their brother in 4 days.

Forgive me and don't answer if you don't want to, but I'm pretty much assuming that family member is a sibling? If not that then a nephew. Far more likely though a sibling if he inherited as well. Yes I did get to read some posts on break today. That money or those checks would legally go to Dave's children if he didn't have a will giving it to someone not the norm, like that relative and I doubt he did since he wasn't okay with that relative and wouldn't give him his share.

Yet I'd almost think if that relative did it he'd have done it for gain? Of course it could have been for vengeance I guess.

I am new to it so if I am off base in my thoughts forgive me. I think for what I've read I am tracking right...?

It's my personal opinion that yes, this person expected to gain from coming to the Rogue Valley and confronting Dave.

IMOO- I think this person thought that Dave would give in under pressure (possibly threats of violence?) and cut them a check or otherwise give them what they came for, part of HIS inheritance.

I don't know anything about how the money was eventually distributed or if the person gained anything from this.

I believe LE should do a full forensic audit of this person's finances from approximately 2000-2023.

Again, that's JMO.

I don't think, IMO, that the original plan was murder.

IMO- I think the person didn't get their way, maybe over the course of Labor Day weekend and resorted to more extreme measures.

Again, this is all just my opinion based on what I know right now.

To be fair, until someone is arrested & convicted my guess is as good as anyone else's.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this thread.

I genuinely appreciate it.

️

 

[Regina]

I'm intrigued by the circumstance of the arson of the vacant cabin, I mean, surely that arson and the murder/arson were committed by the same perp...
As for the murder of Troy Carney, I'm not convinced it's related but I think it's (somehow) revealing to consider that his murder occurred prior to that of David Lewis.

 

[Kimster]

I'm intrigued by the circumstance of the arson of the vacant cabin, I mean, surely that arson and the murder/arson were committed by the same perp...
As for the murder of Troy Carney, I'm not convinced it's related but I think it's (somehow) revealing to consider that his murder occurred prior to that of David Lewis.

There are two reasons I’ve thought that the two cases were probably committed by the same perp. One is that there really aren’t that many murders in that area. Especially in those days. And two because of the fires. That same method of operation has bugged me.

 

[Regina]

There are two reasons I’ve thought that the two cases were probably committed by the same perp. One is that there really aren’t that many murders in that area. Especially in those days. And two because of the fires. That same method of operation has bugged me.

But the fire in Medford was about 13 days after the murder, which causes me to question whether it actually was arson or if it was, was it associated with the murder.
Also, I wonder precisely where that fire originated in relation to the murder scene (because I think it'd help in deciding whether it is associated).
Anyway, I don't know how many transients along Bear Creek are murder victims but the sheriff said there was a recent "sweep" of the area to document the people there in order to identify later. Btw, here's an article of an arrest for a murder.

Man indicted in transient death in Central Point - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

Central Point, Ore. –The man suspected of killing a transient in Central Point was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday afternoon. The two-count indictment of Michael Joseph Atwood includes a count of murder and a count of manslaughter in the first degree. Atwood is being held without bail at the...

kobi5.com

The info is inconsistent as to precisely when the Ashland fires occurred and I think it's imperative to know what's accurate. In the earliest report, the sheriff said the fires were "within minutes....just before 3am" and apparently, another sheriff in a 2020 article said the first fire was "around 4am" and the second was "just three hours later".

 

[Red Clover]

I'm intrigued by the circumstance of the arson of the vacant cabin, I mean, surely that arson and the murder/arson were committed by the same perp...
As for the murder of Troy Carney, I'm not convinced it's related but I think it's (somehow) revealing to consider that his murder occurred prior to that of David Lewis.

IIRC- The arson at the vacant cabin was reported just after 2:30 am on a remote highway near Howard Prairie and Hyatt Lakes.

I have wondered who called this fire in as it was "reported by a passerby"

IME- To this day cell service is not reliable in this area and was AFAIK or remember, completely unavailable in 2008.

Could someone have had a satellite phone?

Could they have been on their way home and called it in from a landline?

Who was driving on Dead Indian Memorial Road around 2:30 am on a Thursday morning?

Bars close at 2:30 am in Oregon. Was it a restaurant or bar worker from the restaurant/bar/resort?

A local?

A truck driver traveling between Ashland & Klamath Falls?

JMO- It's possible it was the murderer themselves, especially if that second fire was indeed set to distract from the first fire set that night at Dave's, 5-6 miles back to the west towards Ashland.

It's also possible that there was evidence of some kind at the vacant cabin that night.

Distraction or destruction?
Possibly both. JMO

Other random information that I am aware of about the vacation cabin.
This is from memory so take it with a grain of salt.

•It was a small cabin with no electricity and was not insured by the owners at the time of the fire(s)
•it was currently owned by someone with the last name "Lewis"- no relation to Dave as his sons are his only relatives in the area that share his last name; Dave's ex-wife uses her maiden name
•previous owners were possibly Spruill. Dave and his ex-wife JF were familiar with this family
•this cabin was at 18196 DIMR at the junction of the Keno Access Road
•the cabin was adjacent to or very near "Lily Glen" and the "Keno Quarry"
•from what can be seen on google and found online, it appears that the vacation cabin has been rebuilt

18196 Dead Indian Memorial Rd, Ashland, OR 97520 | Zillow

18196 Dead Indian Memorial Rd, Ashland OR, contains 832 sq ft and was built in 2010.This home last sold for $240,000 in January 2021. The Zestimate for this property is $231,000, which has decreased by $9,490 in the last 30 days.The Rent Zestimate for this property is $1,496/mo, which has...

www.zillow.com

Edited for grammar & clarity

 

[Red Clover]

But the fire in Medford was about 13 days after the murder, which causes me to question whether it actually was arson or if it was, was it associated with the murder.
Also, I wonder precisely where that fire originated in relation to the murder scene (because I think it'd help in deciding whether it is associated).
Anyway, I don't know how many transients along Bear Creek are murder victims but the sheriff said there was a recent "sweep" of the area to document the people there in order to identify later. Btw, here's an article of an arrest for a murder.

Man indicted in transient death in Central Point - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

Central Point, Ore. –The man suspected of killing a transient in Central Point was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday afternoon. The two-count indictment of Michael Joseph Atwood includes a count of murder and a count of manslaughter in the first degree. Atwood is being held without bail at the...

kobi5.com

The info is inconsistent as to precisely when the Ashland fires occurred and I think it's imperative to know what's accurate. In the earliest report, the sheriff said the fires were "within minutes....just before 3am" and apparently, another sheriff in a 2020 article said the first fire was "around 4am" and the second was "just three hours later".

There are some inconsistencies in articles over the years.

My understanding is the first fire at 18196 DIMR was called in at approximately 2:35 am.

I have read & heard that the fire at 12801, Dave's cabin, was called in between 3:10 am and 4:00 am.

The Greensprings Volunteer Fire District responded to the fire at 18196 and from my understanding, used all the water they had in their tankers on that fire.

The GVFD became aware of the fire at 12801 from a call from the Ashland Mine Road area in Ashland down in the valley 13 miles west as they could see the flames that appeared to be coming from the top of a mountain we call "Grizzly Peak"

Fire District 5 from Ashland proceeded to respond and by the time both fire departments had responded to 12801 DIMR, my understanding is that Dave's cabin was already a total loss and the fire was burning on the ground.

This is where Dave's body was discovered in the aftermath.

________________________________
The fire at Troy's camp on the Bear Creek Greenway occurred in the VERY EARLY MORNING around 1:00 am

All reports that I have seen and from my recent personal communication with Troy's mom, the fire was set at the site of Troy's camp which was just a place in the brush where he was sleeping, it wasn't a formal campsite.

I have speculated that Troy's camp was burned after the fact by the person that murdered Troy & Dave.
Dave's memorial was held at noon the same day Troy's camp was set fire. 9/14/2008

IF I am correct, the person who did this had returned home to a state in the far north after the murders and flew back to the Rogue Valley for their relatives memorial, the Rogue Valley International Airport is very near to the Pilot Travel Center and Troy's camp site on the BCG.

Q: Who found Troy's remains?
Who reported it?

This is JMO based on my personal experience and what I have gathered over 15 plus years.

Like I have said before, until someone is arrested & convicted, anyone's guess is as good as mine.

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Edited for grammar, punctuation and clarity