UPDATE: A seasonal ranger with Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been arrested following a shocking hoax that led to a large-scale manhunt. Callum Heskett, 26, claimed he was stabbed on July 25, 2023, triggering an immediate response from law enforcement, including SWAT teams and aerial support.
Heskett’s fabricated report kicked off a frantic search that prompted lockdowns at nearby schools and sent authorities on a wild chase for an alleged assailant who supposedly fled the scene. He was airlifted to a hospital after the incident, undergoing surgery for his supposed injuries.
However, authorities quickly uncovered inconsistencies in Heskett’s statements, leading them to declare the incident an “elaborate hoax.” The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated that evidence gathered during investigations raised significant doubts about the validity of his claims.
“After investigators conducted their first interview with Heskett, it became even more clear that his story was flawed and erroneous,” the sheriff’s office noted in a press release. Authorities suspect that Heskett may have inflicted the stab wounds on himself.
Currently, Heskett remains hospitalized but is set to be transferred to Jefferson County Jail upon his release. His bond has been set at $10,000. The bizarre circumstances surrounding this case have left the community in disbelief, raising concerns about the resources wasted during the manhunt.
As of now, law enforcement officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and remind them of the serious consequences of making false reports. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
