Vanished Into the Montana Wilderness: The Terrifying Story of Derek and Khloe Hollandbeck

In the summer of 2016, Derek Hollandbeck, a 42-year-old history teacher from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and his 16-year-old daughter Khloe set out on what should have been a joyful father-daughter adventure. Their plan was simple yet ambitious: a cross-country road trip in a vintage blue and white Volkswagen camper van, exploring national parks, photographing breathtaking landscapes, and creating memories to last a lifetime. They named their van the Explorer, and it quickly became a symbol of freedom, adventure, and the bond between father and daughter.

What no one could have imagined was that this trip would end in one of the most chilling disappearances Montana had ever seen—an unsolved mystery that would last for seven years, leaving a trail of questions, speculation, and grief.

The Perfect Father-Daughter Duo

Derek Hollandbeck was the kind of father every child dreams of. Passionate, patient, and endlessly devoted, he spent his days teaching history at Roosevelt High School and his evenings coaching the debate team or helping students understand complex topics. But Derek’s true joy came from his daughter, Khloe.

Khloe was intelligent, adventurous, and curious about the world. A rising honor student with a passion for environmental science and photography, she dreamed of studying marine biology far from her landlocked Iowa home. Her teachers described her as quiet yet confident, always observing, asking questions, and seeing the world through the lens of her camera.

After Derek’s divorce three years earlier, he dedicated himself to being the best single father he could be. Every weekend, every holiday, every summer vacation was sacred father-daughter time. The summer of 2016 was supposed to be their crowning adventure.

The Journey Begins

Khloe had originally suggested the trip, eager to explore the American West. Derek, combining his love for history with her passion for nature, meticulously planned an educational road trip that would take them through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. They would visit Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and finally Glacier National Park—a mix of historical exploration and breathtaking natural beauty.

The Explorer, a 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia, had been restored over months, with camping gear, photography equipment, and even a small darkroom for Khloe to develop her film. Every detail was carefully planned, every stop mapped—yet flexibility remained key to their adventure.

On July 15th, 2016, neighbors watched as Derek and Khloe waved goodbye, the Explorer rumbling down the driveway. Social media updates from that first day showed smiling faces, excitement, and joy. For ten days, their journey went perfectly: hiking in Badlands National Park, capturing photographs at Mount Rushmore, camping under star-filled skies, and posting updates from Yellowstone.

The Last Confirmed Sighting

On July 27th, Derek and Khloe packed up camp at Yellowstone and headed toward Montana, their final destination: Glacier National Park. Around noon, a gas station attendant in Livingston remembered seeing them. Khloe purchased postcards; Derek asked about scenic routes for photographers. Security footage confirmed the Explorer heading northwest on Highway 89 at 12:23 p.m.

That footage would be the last confirmed sighting of the father and daughter alive.

Sometime that afternoon, on a remote stretch of twisting mountain roads, everything went wrong. What happened next remains the chilling core of the mystery. The van never arrived at Glacier, the campsite was never checked into, and for days, the world waited in tense uncertainty.

The Search Begins

Derek’s ex-wife, Linda, was the first to raise the alarm. Derek was meticulous about keeping in touch, and when his call didn’t come through on July 29th, worry turned into fear. By July 31st, Derek and Khloe were officially reported missing.

Search and rescue teams combed highways, backroads, and forests. Helicopters flew grid patterns over rugged terrain, while ground teams scoured every possible campsite. Despite exhaustive efforts, no trace was found: no skid marks, no abandoned van, no witnesses. It was as if the Explorer and its passengers had been swallowed by the Montana wilderness.

A Case Grows Cold

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The FBI joined the investigation, treating the disappearance as a potential kidnapping. Investigators meticulously examined financial records, social media, and personal contacts. Nothing suggested that Derek or Khloe had vanished voluntarily.

Linda Hollandbeck became the public face of the search, coordinating volunteer efforts, organizing annual expeditions, and ensuring the case stayed in the media spotlight. Yet, as the years passed, the trail grew cold.

By 2019, authorities had reclassified the case as a homicide investigation. Derek and Khloe were likely deceased—but without bodies or physical evidence, the truth remained tantalizingly out of reach.

The Discovery That Shattered Everything

On July 18th, 2023—seven years and nine days after their disappearance—forestry workers conducting a routine survey in Bearrass Valley made a discovery that would finally provide answers.

Hidden under dense pines and overgrowth, a rusted blue and white Volkswagen van appeared. Moss, vines, and small trees had claimed the vehicle as part of the forest itself. This was the Explorer.

Inside, investigators found Derek’s travel journal, camping gear, Khloe’s camera bag—but disturbingly, Khloe’s digital camera and several rolls of undeveloped film were missing. Derek’s wallet rested conspicuously on the dashboard, as if placed deliberately. Signs of a hastily abandoned campsite nearby, with remnants of a fire pit doused in accelerant, indicated foul play.

Cadaver dogs alerted to multiple areas around the campsite, confirming the tragic truth: Derek and Khloe had been murdered.

Piecing Together the Final Hours

Forensic analysis revealed the van had been in that remote location for seven years. Soil tests confirmed traces of accelerant, suggesting someone had attempted to destroy evidence. DNA analysis uncovered unknown profiles, meaning another person had been present after the Hollandbecks arrived.

Derek’s last journal entry hinted at a chilling encounter: a strange man offering help after a wrong turn—a simple gesture that led to unimaginable horror.

The Killer is Caught

Investigators traced the unknown DNA to Raymond Cartwright, a 48-year-old local with a history of violence and intimate knowledge of the Montana wilderness. Cartwright lived in a remote cabin 15 miles from the van’s discovery site.

When authorities searched his property, they found Khloe’s missing camera, camping gear, and photographs depicting Derek and Khloe at their campsite—captured in their final hours. Cartwright eventually confessed: he had forced the father and daughter to his remote campsite at gunpoint, terrorized them, and killed them. He disposed of their bodies in a remote mine shaft he refused to reveal.

Aftermath and Legacy

Cartwright was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Derek and Khloe’s remains were never recovered. Linda Hollandbeck established a foundation to protect travelers and support families of missing persons. Derek’s colleagues created a memorial in his classroom, while Khloe’s teachers initiated an annual photography contest in her memory.

The Hollandbecks’ story shocked Montana and the nation. It serves as a grim reminder: even in the most beautiful, peaceful places, danger can lurk, and a moment’s trust in a stranger can turn fatal.

A Haunting Mystery

The discovery of the Explorer reignited questions: why did Derek and Khloe take that wrong turn? Were there other victims? Could more dangers be hidden in Montana’s wilderness?

Their story continues to haunt investigators, communities, and families who dare to venture into remote lands. It is a tale of love, adventure, and unspeakable tragedy—one that shocks, terrifies, and captivates.

Where were you when you first heard about the Hollandbecks? Could you imagine the terror of losing someone in the wilderness with no answers for seven years?

The mystery may be solved, but the horror lingers.