what is murder mountain in humboldt county

How dangerous is Murder Mountain's Humboldt County?

As is made explicitly clear by the title of Netflix's Murder Mountain, working among the Humboldt County marijuana farms featured on the show can come at a dangerous cost. But how does a seemingly normal northern California community amass the state's highest per-capita missing persons rate?

What is 'Murder Mountain'?

A NEW Netflix doc explores the dark underbelly of a rural part of California dubbed "Murder Mountain" – where dozens of naïve weed smokers have vanished after finding work in the area’s cannabis farms.

Is Murder Mountain on Netflix a true story?

Murder Mountain is an American true crime documentary television series that premiered on Netflix on December 28, 2018. The show covers an area of Northern California's Humboldt County, including the local marijuana industry, and multiple disappearances and murders that have occurred in the surrounding mountain range.

Is Humboldt the most dangerous County in California?

So, though Humboldt's high per-capita missing persons rate could suggest it's one of California's most dangerous counties, it could also just be a result of people in the community not being in contact with their loved ones. After all, as many people note in Murder Mountain, it's a place people go to get off the grid.

What is the movie Murder Mountain about?

Murder Mountain is the story of Garret Rodriguez, who left home in San Diego to seek his fortune in the marijuana fields of Humboldt County, California. Within a year he vanished, touching off a series of bloody events that still haunt local residents to this day.

How many seasons does murder mountain have?

1Murder Mountain / Number of seasons

What is Humboldt County famous for?

Humboldt is best known for its magnificent coastal redwoods, the tallest trees in the world, and two of its major attractions are Redwood National & State Parks, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park along the Avenue of the Giants.

Where is the Emerald Triangle in California?

As guests learn on our 420 tours, The Emerald Triangle is made up of 3 Northern California counties: Mendocino County, Humboldt County, and Trinity County. These three Northern California counties have the ideal terroir – that combination of soil and climate – for growing the best weed on the planet.

What is the tagline of Murder Mountain?

The post offers the tagline, “Welcome to Murder Mountain, a secretive and surreal corner of America with a deadly history,” in which the North Coast Journal sarcastically described as “Not sensational at all.”

Where is Murder Mountain on Fusion TV?

Fusion TV premiered a new show on Sunday exploring the booming marijuana industry in Alderpoint, California, or what they like to call “Murder Mountain.” The series dives into the disappearance of 29-year-old Garret Rodriguez who goes missing in the area.

Where is the Emerald Triangle?

Deep in the wilderness of Northern California’s North Coast sits the Emerald Triangle, the world-famous location of the underground illegal marijuana industry. And amidst the legalization of marijuana in California, the area still has the reputation of a lawless, dangerous community of business and competition similar to the 1840’s Gold Rush.

Why is Alderpoint called Murder Mountain?

Alderpoint was dubbed Murder Mountain after two serial killers slayed a cannabis farm worker there in 1982 Credit: Netflix. We pay for your stories!

What is the Netflix documentary about?

The Netflix documentary is unashamed in its desire to show what it views as the problems with the prohibition of cannabis. In the 1980s, state and federal cops joined forces to wage war on the weed farmers in Northern California. 11. Cannabis farm worker Garret Rodriguez was murdered in Humboldt in 2013.

What is the name of the place where the murderer killed a cannabis worker?

Alderpoint, in Humboldt, was dubbed “Murder Mountain” in 1982 after serial killers Michael Bear Carson and Suzan Carson slayed a cannabis worker on a farm there.

Why are there so many missing people in Humboldt?

Although filmmaker Zeman points out that the high number of missing people in Humboldt - an average of 717 people per 100,000 every year – is partly due to people moving to the rural area to get “off the grid.”

What is the illegal trade of cannabis?

Documentary filmmaker Josh Zeman told Rolling Stone that the illegal trade of cannabis has seen an increased production of drugs such as meth and heroin in the area as well as sex trafficking.

Where is Murder Mountain?

The show details the killing of Garret Rodriguez – who vanished in 2013 after working in the drug trade in Humboldt County in the north of the state.

Why did Asha go missing?

After being discharged from hospital, Asha went missing after telling her partner she was going to the restroom at a cafe.

Will Garret’s Family Ever Receive Justice?

In early February, KFMB News 8 in San Diego used court records to identify the man confronted by the Alderpoint 8, something the documentary did not do. (As Chinn noted, “People are innocent until proven guilty in this country, and we believe in that.”) Humboldt County’s District Attorney has thus far opted not to file criminal charges, but all is not lost for Rodriguez’s family. The investigation remains open, and there may be some hope in an alleged accomplice who could provide witness testimony and in some of the statements provided by interview subjects in Murder Mountain. Rodriguez’s family is currently accepting donations via GoFundMe to continue to pay private investigators to stay on the case, a cost they have already shouldered themselves for six years.

How bad is the missing person epidemic in Humboldt County?

Just how bad is the missing persons epidemic in Humboldt County? In early 2018, The North Coast Journal found that an average of 717 people per 100,000 residents were reported missing per year between 2000 and 2016, compared to an average of 384 people throughout the rest of the state. The investigation also pointed out that some people are inadvertently reported missing more than once, some are discovered to have gone voluntarily missing, and many reappear shortly after the report is made. Rebekah Martinez, a 22-year-old California woman listed as missing in that same article, was quickly located by a tipster. Where was she? Starring as a contestant on The Bachelor. Martinez had indeed gone to Humboldt County to decompress, but a lack of cell service had prevented her from getting ahold of her worried mother or law enforcement.

What is Murder Mountain about?

In Murder Mountain, filmmakers show the halcyon “hippie paradise” days of early cannabis farmers juxtaposed against a modern Humboldt where more people go missing annually than any other county in California. An unresolved murder, alleged outlaw culture, a group of vigilantes, and gritty missing posters are the sometimes overly dramatic hooks ...

How old was Garret Rodriguez when he disappeared?

Soon after arriving in Humboldt, filmmakers were captivated by the story of Garret Rodriguez, a 29-year-old San Diego man whose father reported him missing in 2013. Rodriguez had told his father he was going to Humboldt County to work in the cannabis industry and, specifically, he was going to a place called ‘Murder Mountain.’.

How many episodes are there in Murder Mountain?

The six-episode series takes its name from Alderpoint, a small, census-designated area of Humboldt County ...

Is Humboldt County a good place to grow cannabis?

Collamer also disagrees with a quote from Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal suggesting that there’s nothing about Humboldt County that makes it a good place to grow cannabis except that its remote woodiness makes it easy to hide.

Is Murder Mountain a sensationalized story?

In the wake of Murder Mountain, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office found themselves inundated with inquiries from viewers who also wanted justice for Rodriguez. In response, HCSO issued a statement calling Murder Mountain “one side of a highly sensationalized story,” and emphasized that they could not bring a case against someone on “hearsay” alone. The statement also corroborated a point made in the documentary: some residents remain reluctant or unwilling to talk to law enforcement.

What does Ortiz believe about cannabis?

Ortiz believes local press has a responsibility and perspective with covering cannabis and has an effect on how we relate with one side or the other. She said local press has had an impact on how our community relates with the cannabis culture within Humboldt County and plays a part in shaping it.

What is the other side of murder mountain?

The event, The Other Side of Murder Mountain, was part of HSU’s 25th annual week long Social Justice Summit. Panelist Chrystal Ortiz, a board member of the International Cannabis Farmers Association, said as a resident of Humboldt County she is impacted by the local press on cannabis.

Who is the panelist for the NPR California Report on Ortiz's farm?

Panelist Deidre Pike, department chair of the HSU Department of journalism and mass communication, said the NPR California Report on Ortiz’s farm was a great example of how culture is shaping our story telling and there’s a feedback loop of shaping going on. Pike suggested a positive spin on Murder Mountain in which a theme park is built with a memorial for Garret Rodriguez.

Is Murder Mountain real?

Panelist Rio Anders, Co-founder of SoHum Guild, agreed with Ortiz and said it’s hard to live in a bubble in Southern Humboldt and hear a story like Murder Mountain because it has no real reality based on his life. Anders said recently there’s been a constant feedback of negativity but recognizes that crimes like that in Murder Mountain are real.

What is hearsay in court?

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office relies on information provided by witnesses and informants every day to author warrants that we serve in Humboldt County. This could be referred to as “hearsay” in court. The Hearsay rule prevents us from presenting out-of-court statements to be brought into court for consideration by a judge or jury. Witnesses have to testify in court and law enforcement cannot provide a jury or a judge information that was provided through a third party or rumor.

Why did the Sheriff's Office serve search warrants in Rancho Sequoia?

In specific reference to the Garret Rodriguez case, during the time when Garret Rodriguez was reported missing, the Sheriff’s Office served many search warrants in the Alderpoint / Rancho Sequoia area for illegal cannabis growing operations. We believe that this increased pressure on the community is what caused the vigilantism, because the community wanted the Sheriff’s Office to stop looking for Rodriguez and leave the area.

What is the murder mountain series about?

At some point during their time in Humboldt County, the producers of ‘Murder Mountain’ decided to change the scope of the series to focus on the ongoing homicide investigation of Garret Rodriguez. To those of you who have seen this series, please understand that you heard one side of a highly sensationalized story.

What is Humboldt County Sheriff's Office?

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is made up of a diverse staff, many of which have lived in this county for their entire lives. Additionally, the County of Humboldt is a community made up of many different ethnicities, viewpoints and professions. We are committed to serving all people and do not discriminate when enforcing the law.

What is the plot of Murder Mountain?

The original plotline of this series, as presented to the Sheriff’s Office upon consideration of our participation, was to examine the changes in the county as a result of marijuana legalization, highlight the challenges of law enforcement in rural jurisdictions, and present a historic comparison of the county’s “green rush” and timber rushes. At some point during their time in Humboldt County, the producers of ‘Murder Mountain’ decided to change the scope of the series to focus on the ongoing homicide investigation of Garret Rodriguez.

What is the hearing rule?

The Hearsay rule prevents us from presenting out-of-court statements to be brought into court for consideration by a judge or jury. Witnesses have to testify in court and law enforcement cannot provide a jury or a judge information that was provided through a third party or rumor.

How much does the average American spend on lottery tickets?

An average American adult spends about $320 on lottery tickets annually, of which around 60% is paid back in (taxable!) winnings, i.e. they lose about $128 per year. General Mills once employed 45 people to keep their fabricated “Betty Crocker” personality answering up to 5,000 queries ...

Why was the body of the Alderpoint 8 found?

The body was indeed found the next day, presumably due to the Alderpoint 8’s actions in investigating their suspect. Returning to Decker – the man who had been killed – he was a part of the Alderpoint 8. The 8-strong group had been praised by locals, who largely viewed the Police’s investigation as inept.

What is the central theme of Murder Mountain?

Naver. Netflix’s Murder Mountain intrigued, shocked and thrilled viewers, as it provided an in-depth look into a rather seedy part of California – known as “Murder Mountain”. The central theme of this show was the unexplained death of Garret Rodriguez, and the involvement of the marijuana industry.

What did the police believe about Garret's disappearance?

The show suggested that the Police had a rather blasé reaction towards Garret’s disappearance – believing that he would show up in a few weeks. This belief was based on past experiences involving disappearances in the area. The show also showed though that a huge number of disappearances are reported in the area.

What was the motivation of the Alderpoint 8?

The Alderpoint 8 soon confronted a man that they believed was connected to the disappearance.

How long has Garret been charged?

Fast forward to over six years, and no one has ever been formally charged over the death of Garret.

How long did Garret's father think he had no contact with him?

This report came after Garret’s father realised that no one had made contact with Garret in three-four months. While it was far from unusual to go many weeks from hearing from Garret, there was cause for concern on this occasion.

Where is Garret Rodriguez?

Garret Rodriguez. Garret Rodriguez was a 29-year old man from San Diego, California. He moved to a more northern area of California – Humboldt County – in December 2012. His family had urged him not to go to the area, but he did anyway. By April 2013, his father had reported him as missing.

Do People Really Go Missing in Humboldt County?

Yes, and they go missing all the time. Humboldt has the highest missing persons rate in all of the state. While I was in town there in the summer of 2017 before the legalization, I saw Asha Kreimer posters everywhere. As told in the TV series, Her mother, a nurse in Australia, flies out whenever she can to ask strangers if they've seen Asha. There's a lot of land in Humboldt County, a lot of places to get lost, and a lot of people who go there to get lost. Some disappearances are maybe intentional, and others not. It's truly the last wild west.

Why is legalization important?

But the hope is that legalization will make it easier for law enforcement to crack down on true criminals.

What is the sad situation in Murder Mountain?

The sad situation which "Murder Mountain" tends to reveal, is that hopefuls come out the Humboldt County to get rich. What they don't realize is the region is desolate (you can get stranded fast), people are there to take advantage, payment is dealt with in cash, and it's hard to trust anyone. In fact, you are better off trusting no one. Unless you are a local and grew up in the area and know the ins and outs of the region, you're alone and on your own.

What is the day of bucking?

The day consists of waking up, eating, bucking (reducing the weed plant to the flower), trimming, weighing your trim, and bagging it in large turkey bags. You record your name and quantity and wait for the day that the farm owner shows up, counts your bags, and pays you cash.

What do trimmigrants need to survive?

These farms are often equipped with the bare necessities: a roofed workstation, a generator for electricity, propane for a hot shower, water, and an outhouse. Many trimmigrants set up tents for sleeping.

What does Murder Mountain reveal?

What "Murder Mountain" truly reveals is the ongoing disease of a region. These are people who have made a living in a real craft—generations of farmers cultivating. Then there is the evil—the drug war—essentially, driven by outsiders (and sometimes insiders) and lingering hard drugs (not weed) corrupting the environment.

What you will notice about Murder Mountain?

As depicted in "Murder Mountain" back in the 70s, people took to the area during the back-to-the-land movement, and once peaceful hippies (now the grandparents of the current farmers) settled the land. Much of it is family owned and passed down through generations. These people are different from a lot of the individuals you see abusing hard drugs and pushing drugs back in town. It's like night and day.