On a summer morning at Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa, a family's camping trip turned into a tragedy. Tyler Schmidt, a 42-year-old Caucasian male from Cedar Falls, was among the victims of a violent attack on July 22, 2022. He, along with his wife, Sarah Schmidt, also 42, and their 6-year-old daughter, Lula, were found deceased in their tent. The couple's 9-year-old son was the sole survivor of the horrific event.
Law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting at the campground
shortly after 6:20 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of the Schmidt family. An investigation revealed that Tyler Schmidt died from a combination of a gunshot wound and multiple sharp force injuries. Sarah Schmidt died from multiple sharp force injuries, and their daughter Lula died from a gunshot wound and strangulation. The attack was described by authorities as random, with no known connection between the victims and the assailant.
Following the discovery of the victims, law enforcement began a search for a registered camper who was unaccounted for. A short time later, the body of 23-year-old Anthony Orlando Sherwin from Nebraska was found in a wooded area of the park. He appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities identified Sherwin as the suspect in the killings and stated that he acted alone. No arrests were made as the sole suspect was deceased. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and investigators have not released any information suggesting what might have led to the tragic events of that day.
