The Tradition

Summary of The Tradition

by Audiochuck

32m•April 28, 2026
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Overview of The Tradition

This episode of Park Predators investigates the unsolved 2004 murder of Estevan Montaño, a 44-year-old Tucson man who was shot while on a solo hunting/camping trip in Arizona’s Santa Rita Mountains. The case has remained cold for more than two decades, with investigators still trying to identify the person whose DNA was found at the scene and determine whether the killing was a random act, a confrontation, or something else entirely.

What Happened to Estevan Montaño?

  • Estevan left home on Thursday, August 26, 2004 for a traditional solo hunting trip in the Santa Rita Mountains.
  • His family expected him back around Sunday, August 29, but when he didn’t return, they went looking for him.
  • His wife Darlene, daughter Jessica, and two family friends drove into the mountains and found him:
    • lying face up near a dirt road,
    • with his tent, gear, and vehicle nearby,
    • and a blanket he was known to use next to him.
  • He was later determined to have died from multiple shotgun wounds.

Key Evidence and Investigative Findings

Crime Scene Details

  • Investigators collected:
    • clothing,
    • shell casings,
    • shotgun wadding,
    • biological evidence,
    • the victim’s bow,
    • and other materials from the campsite and vehicle.
  • Blood found on the outside of Estevan’s International Scout did not belong to him and did not match anyone in CODIS.
  • That unknown blood remains one of the case’s most important leads.

What Investigators Believe

  • The attack appears to have been fast and concentrated at the campsite.
  • There was no clear sign of robbery.
  • Evidence suggests one person is likely responsible, though others could have been nearby.
  • It is unclear whether:
    • Estevan was shot at the campsite and later found where his body lay, or
    • he was moved after the shooting.
  • There were possible drag marks, but not enough supporting blood evidence to confirm that theory.

The Shotgun Mystery

A major unresolved question is whether the murder weapon was:

  • Estevan’s own shotgun, or
  • a shotgun the killer brought to the campsite.

Why this matters:

  • If Estevan brought the gun and it was missing, the killer may have taken it.
  • If he did not bring it, then the weapon was likely carried in by the offender.

However, shotgun homicides are difficult to ballistically tie to a specific weapon, so this has been hard to prove.

Possible Theories in the Case

1. Random Violence in a Remote Area

  • The Santa Rita Mountains sit near a known corridor used by smugglers and traffickers trying to avoid checkpoints.
  • Some investigators suspected Estevan may have been killed because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
  • This remains one of the leading theories, though nothing in his life pointed to criminal involvement.

2. Encounter With a Stranger or Another Hunter

  • Family and investigators considered the possibility that he ran into someone else in the mountains.
  • Since he often hunted alone, a brief encounter with another person could have escalated unexpectedly.

3. Connection to an Abandoned Campsite

  • Weeks later, Estevan’s family found an abandoned campsite about 1,000 feet from the murder scene.
  • It contained camping gear, ammunition, clothing, and a tent.
  • Family members also found:
    • arrows they recognized as Estevan’s,
    • a box used for target practice,
    • and a shirt that appeared bloodstained, though testing later showed no blood.
  • Investigators could not prove the campsite was connected, but one detective believed it likely was.

Impact on the Montaño Family

  • Estevan was described as:
    • hardworking,
    • devoted to his wife and children,
    • a proud grandfather,
    • and deeply family-oriented.
  • The murder devastated the family:
    • his wife eventually moved away from Tucson,
    • his children drifted apart over time,
    • and the lack of answers caused lasting emotional damage.
  • Jessica said the uncertainty has haunted the family for years.
  • Darlene, who never stopped referring to Estevan as the love of her life, died in February 2025.

Current Status of the Case

  • Pima County cold case detective Miguel Flores says the case is still active.
  • Investigators are using forensic investigative genetic genealogy to identify the unknown DNA from the scene.
  • In 2019, reporting suggested the unknown profile may be connected to someone from or living in Mexico, and officials reportedly sought assistance from Mexican authorities.
  • Even if a suspect is identified, investigators note that:
    • a self-defense claim would still need to be examined,
    • but failing to report the death and fleeing the scene would still be criminal issues.

How the Public Can Help

If you have information about the murder of Estevan Montaño:

  • Pima County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Unit: 520-351-3486
  • Anonymous tip line: 888-CRIME

A reward is still available for information leading to resolution.

Additional Notes

  • The episode opens with a mention of The Deck, another Audiochuck podcast focused on cold cases.
  • It also closes with a promo for So Supernatural.
  • The overarching theme of the episode is how a seemingly ordinary solo hunting trip turned into a long-unsolved homicide that still deeply affects a family and a community.