News Release

Homicide in Death Valley National Park

A car found at the scene.

Nye County Sheriff's Office

News Release Date: October 12, 2020

Contact: Abby Wines (NPS, DVNP), 760-786-3221

Contact: Carma Roper (Inyo County Sheriff's Office)

DEATH VALLEY, CA – A suspect has been arrested for a fatal shooting that occurred in Death Valley National Park.

Zachary Salyer (34), of Amargosa Valley, Nevada, called Nye County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 7:15 on the morning of Sunday, October 11 to state he shot the victim. Salyer reported that the victim was on a dry lake bed in Amargosa.

Salyer was arrested by Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, charged with first degree murder, and transported to Inyo County Jail. He is being held on $1,000,000 bail.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. This is an open investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at [phone], option 4.

Inyo County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Nye County Sheriff’s Office, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Inyo County Evidence Technician, Inyo County District Attorney’s Office, and Inyo County Coroner’s Office.

The shooting occurred in a rarely-visited section of Death Valley National Park near the community of Amargosa Valley.


Photo credit: Inyo County Sheriff's Office