The Witch, The Warlock, and The Soldier's Last Meal

The Witch, The Warlock, and The Soldier's Last Meal

In August 1999, two friends from Boston embarked on a camping trip to Rattlesnake Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. What began as a planned overnight stay quickly turned into a desperate struggle for survival when they got lost with critically low water supplies. How could a simple wrong turn lead to such a tragic end, just minutes from safety?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of David Coughlin and Rafi Kodakan's ill-fated adventure in the New Mexico desert. From their initial preparations to the harrowing discovery made by a park ranger, this story explores the subtle yet deadly dangers of the wilderness and the decisions that sealed their fate.

Date of Discovery: August 8, 1999 Location: Rattlesnake Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns National Park Discovery: Human remains Park Ranger: Lance Matson Victims: David Coughlin, Rafi Kodakan

- The campsite was only 15-20 minutes from their car, a fact neither man ever knew. - David Coughlin was 26 years old and had just been accepted into a master's program at UC Santa Barbara. - Rafi Kodakan packed only three 16-ounce bottles of water total for two men, for a trip where one gallon per person per day was recommended. - They drove over 2,000 miles from Boston to New Mexico for this trip. - The canyon is in a 47,000-acre high desert area in southeastern New Mexico.

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