The Shocking Tale of the 'Colorado Cannibal'

Alferd Packer's journey into infamy began with the pursuit of gold but ended in one of the most chilling survival stories in American history. Known as the "Colorado Cannibal", Packer's tale is fraught with controversy, mystery, and a grim struggle for survival.

Early Life and Pursuit of Gold

Born near Pittsburgh in 1842, Alferd Packer struggled with epilepsy, a condition that affected his entire life. After his discharge from the Union Army during the Civil War due to his seizures, he drifted across the country until he joined a group of prospectors in Utah in 1873. The lure of gold in southwestern Colorado drew Packer and his companions into the San Juan Mountains during a harsh winter.

The Deadly Expedition

In November 1873, Packer and 21 men left Bingham Canyon, Utah, aiming for the gold fields near Breckenridge, Colorado. Severe winter conditions forced them to seek refuge at a Ute Indian camp led by Chief Ouray. Despite warnings from the chief about the dangers of traveling during winter, Packer and five others continued their journey in February 1874. By mid-April, only Packer emerged alive, sparking suspicions with his well-fed appearance and possession of items belonging to his missing companions.

Evolving Confessions and Rising Suspicion

Packer's account of what happened to his companions changed several times, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding his story. Initially, he claimed to have become separated from the group during a blizzard and survived on rabbits and rosebuds. However, when others noticed that Packer had an unusual amount of money and possessions belonging to the missing men, suspicions grew.

Under questioning, Packer revised his story, admitting that four of the men had died naturally from the harsh winter conditions. He stated that the surviving members, including himself, resorted to cannibalism to stay alive. According to this version, when only Packer and Shannon Bell remained, Bell allegedly went insane, threatened Packer, and was subsequently killed by Packer in self-defense. Packer confessed that he then consumed Bell's remains to survive.

Despite the grisly details, this account might have been accepted as a tragic tale of survival had searchers not discovered the remains of the five men at a single campsite, contradicting Packer's claims that they had died at different locations along their journey. This discrepancy led to Packer's arrest on murder charges, though he managed to escape from jail and evade capture for nine years.

Trials and Imprisonment

When Packer was finally recaptured in 1883, he altered his story once more. He claimed that all six men had made camp together, but after leaving briefly to search for a trail, he returned to find that Bell had killed the others and was preparing to eat their flesh. According to Packer, Bell then attacked him, and he shot Bell in self-defense. Packer insisted that cannibalism was a last resort in the face of starvation.

Packer's shifting accounts damaged his credibility, and he was ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Despite his repeated claims of innocence, he served 18 years before being paroled in 1901. New evidence emerged in the 1950s when an 1862 revolver was found on the Cannibal Plateau with two shots missing that matched bullet fragments exhumed from the burial site. While Packer's guilt as a cannibal and in the murder of Shannon Bell is generally accepted, doubts persist about how the events truly unfolded in the mountains of Colorado.

A Bizarre Legacy

The legend of the "Colorado Cannibal" endures, with Packer being both reviled and celebrated in various ways. His story has inspired mock trials, themed restaurants, and even festivals, reflecting a bizarre blend of horror and humor in popular culture.

The mystery surrounding Alferd Packer — whether his actions were driven by desperate survival or something more sinister — continues to intrigue and disturb, leaving us with unanswered questions about the true nature of his crime.

References: Was the 'Colorado Cannibal' a villain or a victim? You decide. | 'Colorado Cannibal' Alferd Packer is paroled | Alferd Packer