The Wells Gray Park Murders
BRITISH COLUMBIA
In August 1982, three generations of the Johnson and Bentley family set out for a two week camping trip in British Columbia.
They never knew a predator was watching them from the shadows, eyeing off his target.
When the entire family failed to return home, it triggered the most expensive and publicized manhunt in Canadian history — and uncovered a horrific truth that shocked the nation.
Special thanks to Shelley Boden of the Johnson-Bentley family for speaking to us for this updated episode.
A previous version of this episode was originally posted in April 2021 under the name “The Johnson-Bentley Family Murders”
Additional content warning: this episode includes the murder and sexual assault of a child. Minimal graphic details will be given. Please take care when listening.
The Johnson-Bentley family needs your help.
Convicted mass murderer David Ennis/Shearing is seeking parole in 2026.
The Johnson-Bentley family has asked us to share this updated episode to remind the public of the danger his release could pose.
There is no cure for pedophilia.
Please sign the family’s petition now and show your support.
Convicted mass murderer and pedophile David Ennis, formerly known as David Shearing
Credits:
Research: Haley Gray
Writing, narration, sound design, additional research: Kristi Lee
Disclaimer voiced by Erik Krosby
Theme Song: We Talk of Dreams
Music credits:
All music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound
Theme song by We Talk of Dreams
Main information sources:
COURT DOCUMENTS:
2003 FCT 461 (CanLII) | Ennis v. Canada (Attorney General) | CanLII
BOOK:
The Seventh Shadow by Michael Eastham with Ian McLeod
DOCUMENTARY:
CBC’s The Detectives: Wells Gray Gunman
MOST RECENT PAROLE HEARINGS:
https://globalnews.ca/news/8193400/bc-mass-murderer-david-ennis-denied-parole/
NEWS ARCHIVES:
https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1983/12/5/arrest-in-camper-murders
https://www.newspapers.com/image/493666721/?terms=%22george%20bentley%22&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/494048177/?terms=%22george%20bentley%22&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/493665165/?terms=%22george%20bentley%22&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/494035926/?terms=%22george%20bentley%22&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/472328874/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/national-post-latest-edition/20081108/284112087205354
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/life-s-a-slice-of-demographic-pie-1.694552
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/kelownans-want-no-parole-for-family-killer-1.303924
https://www.kamloopsnews.ca/wells-gray-murderer-denied-parole-1.1234824
https://www.newspapers.com/image/493660601/?article=22b58510-b599-4e2c-80cf-e51b52c295ea
https://www.newspapers.com/image/558243236/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/422244301/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/504415616/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/504416336/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20081020/281590941391033
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/calgary-herald/20081023/283729835106232
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/1982-mass-murders-in-b-c-still-sicken-family-friends-1.928466
https://www.kamloopsnews.ca/news/city-region/wells-gray-murderer-denied-parole-1.1234824
https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/no-closure-to-johnson-bentley-murder-tragedy/
https://www.newspapers.com/image/493986396/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/494758552/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/464253651/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/560074477/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/472328874/?terms=david%20shearing&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/472328825/?terms=brian%20bentley&match=1