Two friends go camping in a California national forest, but only one returns alive. A wildfire, confusing accounts, and buried evidence nearly stand between authorities and the truth…but despite a young man’s best efforts to conceal his actions, justice prevails.
Trevor Holminski
Courtesy: The Holminski Family
Trevor Holminski camping.
Courtesy: The Holminski Family
Trevor Holminski in Washington D.C.
Courtesy: The Holminski Family
Allyson (mom) and Trevor Holminski
Courtesy: The Holminski Family
Allyson (mom) and Trevor Holminski
Courtesy: The Holminski Family
Allyson, (mom) Frank, (dad) and Trevor Holminski
Courtesy: The Holminski Family
Sheldon and Trevor
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Evidence photo from the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Knife found at the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Partially buried object at the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Evidence photos from the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Flashlight found the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Evidence photos from the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Evidence photos from the crime scene.
Courtesy: Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
Bucks Lake location in Plumas National Forest, California Map
Source: Google Maps
Episode Source Material
- A Blue Crow. By Trevor Holminski. Published November 1, 2013. Accessed January 26, 2026. Via Youtube.
- Park Predators Interview with Frank and Allyson Holminski. Conducted on February 13, 2026.
- People V. Sheldon Stewart Closing Argument Power Point. Hard copy only. No direct link.
- Crime Watch Daily: Acid trip between friends ends in campground murder. By Anna Garcia and staff. Published January 14, 2020. Via Youtube.
- The Sacramento Bee: Man found stabbed in neck, friend burned to death in Plumas forest, authorities say. By Jennifer Crane. Published August 24, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- Patch.com: Suspect Arrested for Weekend Murder of Musician in Plumas Forest. By Susan Schena. Published August 26, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- Patch.com: Oakland Man Charged with Murder of Emeryville Man in Plumas National Forest. By Autumn Johnson. Published August 26, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- KCRA: Burned body found in Plumas County ID’d as Bay Area Man. By Sarah Heise. Published August 26, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- Bay Area News Group: Slain Emeryville man found in Plumas County remembered as insightful, nature-loving. By staff. Published August 27, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- Oakland Tribune: Man facing charges in musician slaying. By Katrina Cameron. Published August 27, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The E’ville Eye: Oakland Man Charged in murder of Emeryville resident Trevor Holminski. By Rob Arias. Published August 27, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- The E’ville Eye: Slain Ex’pression student remembered as insightful, nature-loving. By Rob Arias. Published August 29, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- Oakland Tribune: Emeryville man’s family in mourning. By Katrina Cameron and Nate Gartrell. Published August 30, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Sacramento Bee: Trial will tell tale of camping trip’s descent into death. By Nate Gartrell. Published May 21, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- CBS News: Oakland Man Convicted of Murdering Best Friend During LSD Camping Trip. By staff. Published June 14, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- The E’ville Eye: EBT Reporting Verdict reached in murder of 20 year old Ex’pression College student Trevor Holminski. By Rob Arias. Published June 15, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- SFist: 24-year-old Oakland Man Convicted of Murdering Friend While on LSD Camping Trip. By Rob Arias. Published June 15, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- Plumas News: Plumas jury finds Oakland man guilty of first-degree murder. By Victoria Metcalf. Published June 23, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- The Mercury News: East Bay man sentenced for murdering friend while on LSD during 2015 camping trip. By Nate Gartrell. Published August 31, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- True Crime News: Drug-fueled Northern California camping trip ends in murder, attempted cover up. By staff. Published May 21, 2018. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- The People v. Sheldon Nicholas Steward. California Court of Appeals. Published September 3, 2019. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- The Mercury News: Murder conviction upheld for East Bay man who killed friend during camping trip. By Nate Gartrell. Published September 4, 2019. Accessed February 12, 2026.
- California Incarcerated Records and Information Search: Sheldon Nicholas Steward Inmate Profile
- Trevor Holminski’s Youtube Page
- Francis Holminski Youtube: October 11, 2015 Trevor Holminski Celebration of Life.
- Remembering Trevor Holminski Facebook Page
- The Giving Keys: My Son.
- Find A Grave: Trevor Francis Holminski