Overview of Park Predators — “The Group”
This episode examines the 2006 murder of 18-year-old Tamara “Tammy” C., a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Host Delia D’Ambra reconstructs how a night of drinking and alleged drug-related conflict escalated into a targeted killing, then follows the FBI investigation, the defendants’ confessions, and the long legal aftermath. The episode also highlights how cases involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons are often underreported and deserve far more attention.
What Happened
- On January 15, 2006, a church hiking group found Tammy’s body in the woods near Tom’s Branch Road inside the park.
- She had been shot twice in the head.
- Authorities quickly treated the case as a homicide and identified her through Cherokee law enforcement and dental records.
- Tammy had been with:
- Terrence Roach
- Joshua Squirrel
- Michael Slee
- and earlier at the home of “Big Dave” (Glenn)
Timeline of the Crime
The hours before the murder
- Tammy had been drinking at Big Dave’s house on January 13.
- Witnesses said she went into a back room with Terrence and Joshua, and may have been sexually involved with them, though the transcript notes it’s unclear whether this was consensual.
- Tammy later appeared upset and said she wanted to call an uncle to “take care of” Terrence and Joshua.
- Terrence later returned with Michael Slee in a green Chevy Camaro and picked Tammy up after she had become heavily intoxicated and was unable to walk on her own.
The killing
- According to Michael’s account, Terrence brought Tammy into the Deep Creek area under the pretense of meeting someone about drugs.
- Once in the woods, Terrence allegedly carried Tammy from the car and shot her after she woke up and tried to get up.
- Michael said Terrence then fired a second shot.
- Terrence later claimed Tammy had stolen drugs from him and owed him about $5,500, and that he killed her after a struggle.
Investigation and Confessions
- A community member turned over a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver to police after Joshua had asked them to hold it.
- FBI interviews produced inconsistent but damaging accounts:
- Joshua Squirrel initially gave false statements, then admitted Terrence had confessed to the shooting and asked him to hide the gun.
- Michael Slee said Terrence had planned to kill Tammy beforehand and later paid him to lie about a “silver car” leaving the scene.
- Terrence Roach first denied involvement, then eventually admitted, “I did it.”
- The FBI concluded Terrence had likely decided to kill Tammy before arriving in the park, which supported a first-degree murder charge.
Charges and Court Outcome
-
Terrence Roach
- Charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and firearm offenses
- Later pled guilty to murder and using a firearm in a crime of violence
- Prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty
- Sentenced to two consecutive life sentences
-
Joshua Squirrel and Michael Slee
- Charged as accessories after the fact
- Both accepted plea deals
- Received prison sentences and probation
Restitution and Appeals
- The court ordered substantial restitution for Tammy’s family and estate, including support for her infant daughter.
- Because all three men were members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, their tribal gaming payments were garnished toward restitution.
- In 2009, a federal appeals court ruled Joshua and Michael should not owe the large restitution tied to Tammy’s lost future income, since they were not the actual killers.
- Terrence has continued challenging aspects of his sentence and restitution.
- As of the episode’s reporting, he remains incarcerated and is still required to pay toward the restitution balance.
Key Themes and Takeaways
Vulnerability and predation
- Tammy was intoxicated, vulnerable, and allegedly carried from place to place without control over what was happening.
- The episode emphasizes how predatory violence can hide behind social settings that seem familiar or safe.
Underreported violence against Indigenous women
- D’Ambra underscores that Tammy’s case received very little media coverage.
- The episode connects her murder to the broader crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).
The importance of telling victims’ stories
- The host frames the episode as an effort to restore attention to a case that was largely overlooked.
- The central message: Tammy’s life mattered, and her story deserves to be remembered.
Notable Details
- The case took place in a national park, which made the murder especially shocking.
- Investigators relied heavily on:
- witness interviews
- forensic evidence
- conflicting confessions
- and recovered shell casings and the murder weapon
- Joshua Squirrel later died in 2022.
- The episode closes by encouraging listeners to learn more about MMIP resources and advocacy efforts.