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!

 

[Kimster]

Yeah and I'm sure a few are capable of pulling of welding tanks or whatever it was in the home and other things too, but I don't think I could do that a any point in my life, even my younger years.

In fact for all done, I'm thinking this wasn't just one person but if it was, I certainly don't see a female.

But yes anything is possible. Following crime, we've seen it all but some things are still the great exception to the rule.

Some of the cases on here seems so obvious, and others are very much a mystery. This one is in the mystery class.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I know quite a few people in law-enforcement, and one thing I have learned is that each agency has their own way of doing things. They have their own vision and some will release a lot of information some will release some information and some are so tight lipped you don’t know what’s going on. It all depends on how cases are Run in their area. They get to know their judges, and they get to know their district attorneys and they try to work within the system that they have in their department. I hope that makes sense.

That's all very true but most give family some info to keep family sane and waiting and this has been years and years and I'd say it's time to release something and I'd also say it is likely to say family knows more than we do, IF not suspects.

So far as I can see this agency can't even show they've done anything or found anything and the smartest ones stay out there with regular contact with pressers EVEN if no new news and have they done that? They at least assure the public regularly they are still working on it even if nothing they can share.

It's just my opinion but agencies that are totally silent even on things that can be released that won't impact a case breed questions in victim's families and the public as to whether they are even working on it. The SMARTEST ones that understand this find a good balance. At LEAST get out there once in awhile and reassure at minimum and ALSO strategically releasing some info to worry a perp or get people thinking OH I SAW THAT back when (but they didn't know about it then) and spur new leads or panic in the perp...

 

[Kimster]

That's all very true but most give family some info to keep family sane and waiting and this has been years and years and I'd say it's time to release something and I'd also say it is likely to say family knows more than we do, IF not suspects.

So far as I can see this agency can't even show they've done anything or found anything and the smartest ones stay out there with regular contact with pressers EVEN if no new news and have they done that? They at least assure the public regularly they are still working on it even if nothing they can share.

It's just my opinion but agencies that are totally silent even on things that can be released that won't impact a case breed questions in victim's families and the public as to whether they are even working on it. The SMARTEST ones that understand this find a good balance. At LEAST get out there once in awhile and reassure at minimum and ALSO strategically releasing some info to worry a perp or get people thinking OH I SAW THAT back when (but they didn't know about it then) and spur new leads or panic in the perp...

I’ve heard of some agencies that talk to families on a regular basis, and I’ve heard of some that shun them. And then I’ve heard of one agency that, depending on who is in charge of their missing person‘s case, they will keep the family informed and other times they won’t. I agree with you though. They should always talk to the family no matter what.

I also haven’t seen that anyone knows if they are or aren’t staying in contact with Dave’s kids? Do we know?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Some of the cases on here seems so obvious, and others are very much a mystery. This one is in the mystery class.

Some are more mystery though due to the lack of info provided. It may be no mystery to LE, we have no way to really know.

I'll just add that when LE agencies decision is to share NOTHING at all, this is what breeds speculation and wilder theories as nothing has been ruled out for the public. Those are the cases that also breed thoughts in even the best of us or the most trusting that something corrupt is going on or it is being hidden or shoved under the rug.

In my serious opinion, I think the right balance and understanding that can help and help the case. Most people with some info will head the right way and dismiss thoughts that don't fit or at least see it is being worked on.

I was happy with our team and an investigator carried me through three years and let me talk to him weekly for more than an hour sometimes and couldn't always share a thing but he did when needed judiciously. Of course that's victim's family. But what it does is keep people from going over the edge and keep things settled down and the public isn't much different. Give them something. And use some piece of info you have to STIR this old cold case.

I don't think the third one is likely related at all but this is THREE unsolved old cases. I think they need to change something. Jmo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I would add we had no contact. I had to contact the sheriff after how long and it was obvious my family self included were reeling in grief with no contact, info or clue they hadn't decided this was just an accident. He realized it and put me in touch with an investigator who then "handled" me and he was our lifeline.

This is different than the public but I am just saying LE has a lot to learn about the job and the secrecy isn't the whole thing they have to handle like it or not. They have to at least talk to family and talk to the public on occasion even if to say they can't share anything but are working on it if that is all they can say. That's not true however I don't believe. Release what won't hurt. Show it is active. Etc.

Sorry just a bit heated on this and think it needs to change. Public shouldn't know all or investigation be compromised but we see in case after case where family doesn't think it is being worked on, are in grief, don't understand why this and that and searches aren't being done night and day for weeks, etc., etc. in various cases. Buttoning up with no apparent care or activity being seen or talks to the public AND privately with family hurts, it doesn't help.

LE shouldn't have to be grief workers and family advocate or even lose time in the investigation to explaining to families what they don't understand about investigation and the justice system, or be the press person but there needs to be that and actually a family does need to have contact with an investigator and not a go between sometimes and when it is charged, it doesn't change, not just victim advocate, DA himself or herself needs to talk to family too.

We did get all that but I had to go looking for it in the beginning. Of course it was obvious no family member was involved. And I was still asked not to share with more than one family member, etc. either just to keep investigation facts from being shared, the more you tell, the more chance someone tells a friend, another relative, etc.

Okay, a total sidetrack. Sorry. I'm just saying I guess I am not okay with LE here after all these years. They need to get with it and get back on it and share SOMETHING and stir the pot. What even about advances in testing and more? Another deep look maybe by a new team.

 

[Red Clover]

I also haven’t seen that anyone knows if they are or aren’t staying in contact with Dave’s kids? Do we know?

I don't know myself but I would assume so, at least if they were to reach out. I can't imagine it's their favorite subject.

 

[Tresir]

An outline and some thoughts about what I will call the "firewood theory" being discussed

Troy Carney- found murdered in his sleeping bag on the Bear Creek Greenway near the Pilot Center in Central Point Oregon (approximately 20 miles N of Ashland Oregon on I-5) on the afternoon of September 4, 2008

1) Troy's mom told me fairly recently that when she had spoken with Troy, he told her he had been offered a 1/2 days work helping someone Troy didn't name with a firewood delivery.
AFAIK- LW doesn't know where the delivery was going to be delivered to, by whom or how. Troy did not have a vehicle of his own.

2) Troy's mom told me that she offered to wire him $100 for a bus ticket to help him get out of the Rogue Valley and get back up to the Willamette Valley or somewhere else with more work for him. The Pilot Center is also a Greyhound Bus Stop

3) Troy's mom, LW wired the money after speaking with him on the afternoon of Labor Day September 1, 2008. This is the last known contact with Troy.

4) The wired money was not picked up and LW said that was one of the first things LE asked her about
️️️️️️️️️️️️

David Lewis- found murdered in his mountain top cabin in the early morning of September 4 2008, 13 miles east of Ashland Oregon at 12801 Dead Indian Memorial Road

1) David made his living doing welding, construction, odd jobs, and very occasionally by cutting firewood

2) He did cut a large amount of wood for his own use, approximately 7 cords to get through a normal winter.
He worked year round when the ground was clear to keep up on this sometimes monumental task

*In approximately 2006, a friend of mine and my employer at the time needed some extra firewood for their own home in the mountains. Dave wasn't interested in delivering as it takes a ton of gas in a big truck and it's time consuming and all that so David asked them to come up to his place to pick it up and he helped load it.

3) Dave would definitely have helped a neighbor in need if they asked him for anything or he knew that they couldn't do for themselves, whether it was plowing a driveway, hauling in some groceries or splitting some firewood. Survival can be tenuous in the mountains and it's helpful to have a neighbor like Dave looking out

4) David would have been VERY UNLIKELY to be at the Pilot Center for any reason unless he HAD to go to Central Point for something. Dave wasn't a town guy and most anything needed he could've gotten in Ashland or Medford

️️️️️️️️️️️️
The relative that was expected to "just show up" after being told no

1) Asked LW if the firewood guy that offered Troy the job could be Dave Lewis

2) The VI on WS has suggested recently that Troy or someone that looked like Troy had been seen with David at Hyatt Lake over Labor Day weekend or on Monday Labor Day September 1 2008 AND was the source of an argument with the resort owner
*AFAIK this has never been documented

3) *Could Dave's relative have offered the firewood job to Troy; whether Dave needed help with a delivery or not, could this supposed "firewood delivery job" have been a ruse or a ploy to lure Troy to Hyatt Lake or to Dave's house or into Dave's vehicle in order to manufacture evidence that "someone" was seen with Dave that weekend or over Labor Day
*purely speculation on my part

️️️️️️️️️️️️

Were Dave and his relative at Hyatt Lake the weekend before he was murdered? We don't know either Dave or Troy's last movements do we? This is part of the problem in not knowing who killed them. Why is Hyatt Lake important anyway?

 

[GrandmaBear]

I’ve heard of some agencies that talk to families on a regular basis, and I’ve heard of some that shun them. And then I’ve heard of one agency that, depending on who is in charge of their missing person‘s case, they will keep the family informed and other times they won’t. I agree with you though. They should always talk to the family no matter what.

I also haven’t seen that anyone knows if they are or aren’t staying in contact with Dave’s kids? Do we know?

I think they always should too. They can't leave a family in the midst of the likes of which they've never dealt with without contact and some support and guidance. Even IF they can't share all.

Family also should not have to contact them after how long wondering why they haven't contacted them to assure them they are still hard at work on it and of anything they can share, if anything. I think they should be in regular contact and available if necessary as well.

Two of Dave's kids were adults when this happened right? So yeah, they themselves imo should have been able to have direct contact and all in the years since.

I'm sure in some cases all family is not on the same page and then you need t have separate contact people for each imo. Say divorced parents for instance who can't communicate or get along or one is blaming the other.

I'm sure money, resources, the way of keeping all silent plays in but families need to feel as if they can have direct contact with those investigating the case and then prosecutirng it, at least on a somewhat regular basis.

And boy I can't even imagine living one that went unsolved this long or far, far longer as we've also seen. As a family member I'd have had it by now and given up on justice and would demand they release what they know because what's the difference if justice is unlikely to come or hasn't yet? At least it MIGHT result in some OR release some and like I've said before stir things up, get someone worried, etc. It isn't hard to buy into conspiracy thoughts and such when NOTHING is known for years and years. Is an influential person the perp or part of it all?

Making the point hat when they act this way, that's exactly what results and what they can expect even logical sane people to start to wonder.

 

[Regina]

You mean Troy's? Or David's?

I'm not convinced either that they are connected and one couldn't be something like that. Troy's for instance. Dave's seems more personal and angry but it's not impossible there either that someone wasn't just on some drug fueled rampage or also wasn't just some nutjob but I think it more unlikely.

Troy's. My point is, I don't know who, how, or why that fire was started.
And I'd expect that 13 days later, LE had collected all there was to collect.
If there's a next time when LE's at the scene interviewing re the case, I hope they walk through the area to show where Troy's body was found in relation to where the fire occurred (or was believed to have originated).

 

[Regina]

Troy's mom told me fairly recently that when she had spoken with Troy, he told her he had been offered a 1/2 days work helping someone Troy didn't name with a firewood delivery.
AFAIK- LW doesn't know where the delivery was going to be delivered to, by whom or how. Troy did not have a vehicle of his own.

Troy's mom told me that she offered to wire him $100 for a bus ticket to help him get out of the Rogue Valley and get back up to the Willamette Valley or somewhere else with more work for him. The Pilot Center is also a Greyhound Bus Stop

Am I to take it that Troy never mentioned traveling anywhere around Ashland?
How did he come to be in Center Point?

 

[Regina]

David made his living doing welding, construction, odd jobs, and very occasionally by cutting firewood

He did cut a large amount of wood for his own use, approximately 7 cords to get through a normal winter.
He worked year round when the ground was clear to keep up on this sometimes monumental task

*In approximately 2006, a friend of mine and my employer at the time needed some extra firewood for their own home in the mountains. Dave wasn't interested in delivering as it takes a ton of gas in a big truck and it's time consuming and all that so David asked them to come up to his place to pick it up and he helped load it.

David would have been VERY UNLIKELY to be at the Pilot Center for any reason unless he HAD to go to Central Point for something.

What was David last doing for a living?
Would it have made sense to go to Pilot Center for day laborer?

 

[Red Clover]

Am I to take it that Troy never mentioned traveling anywhere around Ashland?
How did he come to be in Center Point?

Troy traveled and worked helping truckers load and unload. It's my understanding that Troy traveled from Idaho into the Willamette Valley during the summer and came down to the Rogue Valley to look for work and to visit friends he had known when he lived here 10 years previously.

IIRC- When Troy arrived in the Rogue Valley, I will use the friend's initials GG, GG picked Troy up from the Pilot Center

He stayed there a short time with GG and his wife, an acquaintance of theirs may have been staying there as well, that's a little unclear, but from what LW has said Troy wasn't comfortable there and decided he would stay closer to the truck stop in Central Point in hopes of finding some work.

Troy's mom hasn't said where he went when he was here in the valley, but she has been adamant that Troy didn't know Dave and had never mentioned him.

LE has also said in more than one news report that they have found absolutely no connection between the two of them and that there's no evidence the men had ever been in contact in life. That's my understanding, I hope that's helpful.

 

[Red Clover]

What was David last doing for a living?
Would it have made sense to go to Pilot Center for day laborer?

David had worked most recently for the Hyatt Lake Resort owners creating custom built additions, decks for hot tubs, etc for RV/Cabins that had been moved onto the resort property.

Hyatt Lake Resort

hyattlake.com

David made excellent money for his labor and on jobs that used his boom truck he might charge an additional $100/hour.

Central Point and the Pilot Center are completely out of his "range" or his area of normal operation.

I know it's hard to imagine the area but it's just very unlikely that Dave would be at the Pilot Center for any reason other than maybe to get gasoline off of I-5 if he was traveling.

IF he was traveling he was more likely to be going somewhere with the gf and in her vehicle or his jeep.

IF he needed some help from someone, like for a job, I would imagine that he could find someone in south Ashland at Bi-Mart or Shop N Kart or one of the bars or restaurants he frequented or from a local friend.

I was joking with my partner since I started this thread, that if Dave was going to hire somebody to help him he probably would have had to have worked side by side with them and know that they could carry their own weight and that they knew what they were doing and not be in the way. David did not suffer fools or slackers.

The Dave I know wouldn't really need help cutting, loading & unloading a cord of wood, that was easy-peasy in the world of what Dave was capable of accomplishing in a day.

I'm not trying to say anyone else's ideas or thoughts are any less valid than mine. I am trying to give context. These are all excellent points.

️

 

[Red Clover]

Were Dave and his relative at Hyatt Lake the weekend before he was murdered?

The VI on WS has suggested that Dave was at Hyatt Lake over Labor Day. I have asked them directly if they know if he was actually there and they have never answered directly

We don't know either Dave or Troy's last movements do we?

AFAIK Troy's last movements are leaving the Pilot Center around 6:00 pm on Labor Day, Monday September 1 2008

I have heard that Dave was in Ashland running errands that day (the 3rd) and possibly at Hyatt Lake on the evening/night of Wednesday September 3rd.

I have asked LE to confirm where & when & by whom David was last seen and they have declined that request.

This is part of the problem in not knowing who killed them.

Precisely. It's been almost 15.5 years

Why is Hyatt Lake important anyway?

David used to work for the owners at Hyatt Lake building custom additions & decks for the resort RV/cabins and it was the place closest to home for a beer and dinner, maybe hanging out with friends after fishing, watching football, etc.

David was a great fisherman, his friends called him Fish Hook because he could catch a fish where he dropped a line. He loved that lake like it was his own.

Hyatt Lake Recreation Area | Bureau of Land Management

Overview

www.blm.gov

Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway

The only thing prettier than seeing Ashland as you stroll through its downtown is seeing the city nestled in its valley from far above – a view you can

traveloregon.com

The VI on WS and the whomurdereddavelewis blogs make a big deal about an altercation between David & the resort owner and other connections to supposedly corrupt politicians and other community members.

I have never been a fan of the theory and have yet to untangle the supposed series of events which may have led to Dave's demise.

I appreciate all of your questions, it's great that everyone is talking through this and taking it seriously.

 

[Tresir]

The VI on WS has suggested that Dave was at Hyatt Lake over Labor Day. I have asked them directly if they know if he was actually there and they have never answered directly


AFAIK Troy's last movements are leaving the Pilot Center around 6:00 pm on Labor Day, Monday September 1 2008

I have heard that Dave was in Ashland running errands that day (the 3rd) and possibly at Hyatt Lake on the evening/night of Wednesday September 3rd.

I have asked LE to confirm where & when & by whom David was last seen and they have declined that request.

Precisely. It's been almost 15.5 years

David used to work for the owners at Hyatt Lake building custom additions & decks for the resort RV/cabins and it was the place closest to home for a beer and dinner, maybe hanging out with friends after fishing, watching football, etc.

David was a great fisherman, his friends called him Fish Hook because he could catch a fish where he dropped a line. He loved that lake like it was his own.

Hyatt Lake Recreation Area | Bureau of Land Management

Overview

www.blm.gov

Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway

The only thing prettier than seeing Ashland as you stroll through its downtown is seeing the city nestled in its valley from far above – a view you can

traveloregon.com

The VI on WS and the whomurdereddavelewis blogs make a big deal about an altercation between David & the resort owner and other connections to corrupt politicians and other community members.

I have never been a fan of the theory and have yet to untangle the supposed series of events which may have led to Dave's demise.

I appreciate all of your questions, it's great that everyone is talking through this and taking it seriously.

Ok so he worked at Hyatt lake and socialised there as well as fishing. So it is likely he was there the weekend of his death too.

 

[Red Clover]

Ok so he worked at Hyatt lake and socialised there as well as fishing. So it is likely he was there the weekend of his death too.

VERY LIKELY, in my opinion

 

[Tresir]

VERY LIKELY, in my opinion

Have you ever asked LE what the link is between the cases that was mentioned? Also, did Troy's mother live in or near the Ashland area? I guess Troy would visit her whenever he was back working in the area?

 

[Red Clover]

Have you ever asked LE what the link is between the cases that was mentioned?

LE has been very tight lipped. No release of reports, documentation, POI or suspect, evidence, when or where Dave was seen, nothing. I don't recall if I asked about the connection specifically

Also, did Troy's mother live in or near the Ashland area?

No. She lives in Florida which is thousands of miles from Oregon

I guess Troy would visit her whenever he was back working in the area?

I know he spoke with her every day. I don't know when the last time was that he had visited her, I have never asked.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Troy's. My point is, I don't know who, how, or why that fire was started.
And I'd expect that 13 days later, LE had collected all there was to collect.
If there's a next time when LE's at the scene interviewing re the case, I hope they walk through the area to show where Troy's body was found in relation to where the fire occurred (or was believed to have originated).

I have and do wonder the same things. Finally though an article yesterday I think from back when did seem to indicate the fire encompassed where he was sleeping or at least seemed to as I also wondered if it was just in the viciinity.

Even though if that is the case (or not) the perp wasn't worried about burning the area if evidence until two weeks later?? That makes zero sense as does going back to a crime scene once LE is looking for a perp in the area... I think this particular fire may even NOT be related to Troy's own murder.

It is hard to connect Troy or similarities but the fire even more so. On the other hand I guess there's quite a few arsonists running around the area which is also odd, or at least two...

Was that one determined positively arson? Even if it was, I'm not sold that it relates. Maybe it was someone just wanting to burn the homeless out of there. Hard to say...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Troy traveled and worked helping truckers load and unload. It's my understanding that Troy traveled from Idaho into the Willamette Valley during the summer and came down to the Rogue Valley to look for work and to visit friends he had known when he lived here 10 years previously.

IIRC- When Troy arrived in the Rogue Valley, I will use the friend's initials GG, GG picked Troy up from the Pilot Center

He stayed there a short time with GG and his wife, an acquaintance of theirs may have been staying there as well, that's a little unclear, but from what LW has said Troy wasn't comfortable there and decided he would stay closer to the truck stop in Central Point in hopes of finding some work.

Troy's mom hasn't said where he went when he was here in the valley, but she has been adamant that Troy didn't know Dave and had never mentioned him.

LE has also said in more than one news report that they have found absolutely no connection between the two of them and that there's no evidence the men had ever been in contact in life. That's my understanding, I hope that's helpful.

Another link I forget which one said he was causing stress on the relationship of the couple he was staying with, not that he was uncomfortable there.

So he probably came to "town" thinking he could stay with friends and it didn't work out and there wasn't a lot of work and so he had nowhere to stay and wanted to move on is the picture I get. His mom seemed in a hurry to get him out because why not let him do the firewood delivery job first before wiring bus ticket money? I guess my point is was something wrong that was known about? I just get the impression of a rush and concern and she was calling him steady too.

How is it she did that by the way. Somewhere I read in news here that he used the phones at the truck stop so does that mean he didn't have a cell phone? Why use those phones otherwise?

The questions just keep coming sorry. The victims I am always for and I am but I have to wonder what was going on in their lives or if toes were stepped on or enemies made to get an idea of what may have really happened in either case.

To that end, did Troyi have any kind of record? We keep learning new things about Dave. Is it true he beat up a sex offender? Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should be free depending on what and level but in general none of them but beating them up or killing them is another story.