Overview of REVISITED: The Tent
This episode of Park Predators revisits the 2022 Maquoketa Caves State Park killings in Iowa, where a family camping in a tent was attacked in the middle of the night. The story follows the chaotic morning response, the discovery of the victims, and the investigation into 23-year-old Anthony Orlando Sherwin, who authorities say killed the Schmidt family before dying by suicide. The episode also touches on the case’s lasting emotional impact, the uncertainty around motive, and the broader gun debate it reignited.
What Happened at Maquoketa Caves State Park
The morning of the attack
- Felicia Coe, camping nearby, woke up early and noticed strange noises around the campground.
- Soon after, park employees in body armor with rifles began evacuating campers.
- A young boy was found alone in pajamas near ambulances, adding to the confusion.
- Police later confirmed a shooting had taken place.
The victims
Authorities identified the dead as:
- Tyler Schmidt, 42
- Sarah Schmidt, 42
- Lula Schmidt, 6
Their 9-year-old son, Arlo, survived after escaping the tent during the attack.
The suspect
- Investigators identified Anthony Orlando Sherwin, 23, as the attacker.
- He was found dead nearby from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- His parents, Joseph and Cecilia Sherwin, were also camping in the park, but in a separate tent.
Investigation and Findings
Cause of death
Autopsy results later showed:
- Tyler and Sarah were shot and stabbed
- Lula was shot and strangled
- Anthony died by suicide
Weapon used
- Police said the gun found near Sherwin was a 9mm “ghost gun” — an untraceable firearm assembled from parts.
- Investigators ruled out the Sherwins’ legally owned firearms as the murder weapon.
Motive
- Law enforcement said they had found “indications” of motive, but have never publicly explained what it was.
- No clear evidence was found that Sherwin had any prior connection to the Schmidt family.
- The family and investigators both described the attack as essentially random.
Reactions and Impact
Community response
- The Schmidts were well-liked in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where they lived.
- Sarah worked at the Cedar Falls Library; staff closed the library in her honor and invited the public to leave notes.
- A memorial service drew many community members who knew the family.
Fundraising for Arlo
- Donations poured in for the surviving child, Arlo, through a GoFundMe set up by family members.
- The fundraiser was intended to support his education and future care.
Public debate
- The case became part of a broader discussion about:
- firearm access
- ghost guns
- Second Amendment protections in Iowa
- The episode notes that Iowa voters later approved a constitutional amendment strengthening gun rights protections.
Notable Takeaways
- The attack took place in a busy, family-friendly state park — not an isolated wilderness area.
- The case shocked the community because the victims were described as a loving, ordinary outdoors-oriented family.
- The motive remains one of the most unsettling unanswered questions in the case.
- The episode closes by emphasizing the importance of cherishing ordinary life and time with loved ones.
Memorable Quote
“Please don’t take any time for granted. Go outside today. Breathe. Sarah would have wanted that.”
— Jana, Sarah Schmidt’s sister
Bottom Line
This episode recounts a deeply tragic and still haunting campground murder case: a seemingly random attack that killed two parents and their 6-year-old daughter, left one child alive, and raised unresolved questions about motive, mental state, and gun access. The investigation identified Anthony Sherwin as the perpetrator, but the why remains largely unanswered.