In the early summer of 2017, a disturbing story unfolded in the rural landscape of Caldwell, Idaho, culminating in the tragic death of 14-year-old Payton Medley, a Caucasian female. Payton and her 48-year-old mother, Nadja Medley, had recently relocated from Utah to a farmhouse in Caldwell with Gerald "Mike" Bullinger, a man Nadja was in a relationship with.
Friends of the family noted that Nadja believed Bullinger to be divorced, and she had posted on social media about their move to Idaho to start a new life with him.
The dream of a fresh start turned into a nightmare when, on June 19, 2017, the bodies of Payton, Nadja, and another woman were discovered in a shed on the property. The third victim was identified as 56-year-old Cheryl Baker, who was legally married to Bullinger. All three victims had been shot once. The discovery was made after concerned family members reported not being able to reach Nadja and Payton.
Investigators quickly identified Gerald "Mike" Bullinger as the prime suspect in the triple homicide. It was revealed that Bullinger, a pilot, had been living a double life, maintaining relationships with both his wife, Cheryl Baker, with whom he had just purchased the Idaho property, and Nadja Medley. It is believed that the women were unaware of each other's existence until the days leading up to their deaths.
Following the discovery of the bodies, Bullinger vanished, prompting a nationwide manhunt. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder. His car was later found abandoned in a remote campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Despite extensive searches, Bullinger was never located. Law enforcement officials have expressed the belief that he may have died from suicide or exposure in the wilderness, though his remains have not been found. The case remains officially open, leaving a painful and unresolved chapter in the lives of the families of Payton Medley, Nadja Medley, and Cheryl Baker.
