Attempted Kidnapping Ends in Tragic Death at Beyond the Grave Rave Event

Sterling County State Park, October 26, 2024 – An attempted kidnapping that ended in a tragic death occurred last night at the Beyond the Grave Rave, raising concerns over event safety protocols and environmental hazards.

Around 11:00 p.m., local dispatch received reports of a violent altercation at a Halloween-themed event, held at Old Town, a property that has been under recent scrutiny for inaccessibility due to ownership from local mining conglomerate Grave Corp.

According to witness statements, an unidentified male attendee had been seen exhibiting suspicious behavior throughout the night, closely following various women in the crowd. He eventually attempted to forcefully abduct Tavaera Vesperti, a fellow attendee, in a public display that alarmed other guests.

A group of bystanders quickly stepped in, including local coroner Elsi Pridemore, along with Anya Murtagh, Jesse Schermerhorn, and Eleni Denimore. Their combined efforts successfully stopped the assailant from further harming Vesperti. Pridemore and an unidentified bystander managed to break his grip on Vesperti, prompting the attacker to brandish a knife and advance towards Murtagh, who defended herself with a taser.

The assailant reportedly fell to the ground when his head “exploded.” The sudden, chaotic escalation caused guests to disperse rapidly from the scene.

A witness, who asked to remain anonymous said they overheard security telling Grave Corp CEO that the assailant illegally entered the mine and may have gained access to a restricted area suspected of harboring a hydrogen sulfide leak.

Many attendees have since voiced concerns over Grave Corp, the company responsible for the event, questioning the effectiveness of security measures and the decision to hold the rave within potentially hazardous surroundings. Grave Corp has yet to release an official statement in response to the incident, leaving attendees and their families seeking answers about safety protocols.

The Sterling County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a thorough investigation into the death and are examining potential environmental factors, including the possible presence of hydrogen sulfide within the cave, that may have contributed to the incident. The community is urged to avoid speculation until more details are released.

The authorities encourage anyone with information about the unidentified bystanders or additional details about the event to come forward.

For further information, please contact the Sterling County Sheriff’s Office.