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smalltime · 10-31-2004, 11:28 AM

I just found this story and I thought it was interesting

5 Murdered in Arkansas Haunted House
Man charged with first degree murder in Bentonville Haunted House Killings

Posted on Saturday, October 30, 2004

By James Ferguson
Benton County Daily Record

BENTONVILLE – Jim Ewaldsen was arrested last night and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder after he brutally killed five people with a chainsaw and injured two others.

Ewaldsen was working at the Nightmares Haunted House when he apparently brought a chainsaw into a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” room of a maze. The first victim Troy Candel, 19, was an employee who was acting as Leatherface in the room. Ewaldsen killed Candel with the chainsaw and then proceeded to kill four more people as they came into the room.

Four other employees tackled and subdued Ewaldsen after one of the patrons fled the room when her boyfriend was attacked by the chainsaw. Two of the employees were hurt by the chainsaw while attempting to subdue Ewaldsen. Dan Whitestone got an abrasion to the leg and Thomas Badger had a limb severed. Both were taken to Northwest Medical Center where Badger is currently listed in serious condition.

“This is the most horrendous thing any of us have ever seen” , Benton County Sheriff Keith Lowell told the Daily Record. “This is the kind of slaying you think is only made up in Hollywood.”

The blood spattered scene had the dead bodies of Ben Johansen, 23; David Niven, 25; Julie Burke, 21; and Grace Mcabee, 18. The name of the woman who escaped the scene has not been released.

Even with the grizzly murders that happened Lowell commended the bravery of the young men who were able to wrestle the chainsaw from Ewaldsen. “These young men showed extreme courage and were willing to put their own lives in danger to help others. They are a very brave group of people.”

Ewaldsen has recently been in jail for aggravated assault and DUI charges. He has been employed at the haunted house for the last couple of weeks helping them put it together and working as an “actor”.

Sheriff Lowell also noted that Ewaldsen seemed extremely agitated and could have very well been on drugs. “He was being very uncooperative and had to be forcibly contained. He was screaming and yelling and very violently attempting to attack police officers”

The owner of Nightmares, Bobby Sampier was visibly very distraught over the events and told the Daily Record, “I don't understand what has happened here tonight. Jim was a great employee and seemed to be a good person. I don't know why he would be driven to do something like this.”

Nightmares is currently closed and will most likely remain closed for the rest of the season.

10-31-2004, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
smalltime Upright	5 Killed in Haunted House I just found this story and I thought it was interesting 5 Murdered in Arkansas Haunted House Man charged with first degree murder in Bentonville Haunted House Killings Posted on Saturday, October 30, 2004 By James Ferguson Benton County Daily Record BENTONVILLE – Jim Ewaldsen was arrested last night and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder after he brutally killed five people with a chainsaw and injured two others. Ewaldsen was working at the Nightmares Haunted House when he apparently brought a chainsaw into a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” room of a maze. The first victim Troy Candel, 19, was an employee who was acting as Leatherface in the room. Ewaldsen killed Candel with the chainsaw and then proceeded to kill four more people as they came into the room. Four other employees tackled and subdued Ewaldsen after one of the patrons fled the room when her boyfriend was attacked by the chainsaw. Two of the employees were hurt by the chainsaw while attempting to subdue Ewaldsen. Dan Whitestone got an abrasion to the leg and Thomas Badger had a limb severed. Both were taken to Northwest Medical Center where Badger is currently listed in serious condition. “This is the most horrendous thing any of us have ever seen” , Benton County Sheriff Keith Lowell told the Daily Record. “This is the kind of slaying you think is only made up in Hollywood.” The blood spattered scene had the dead bodies of Ben Johansen, 23; David Niven, 25; Julie Burke, 21; and Grace Mcabee, 18. The name of the woman who escaped the scene has not been released. Even with the grizzly murders that happened Lowell commended the bravery of the young men who were able to wrestle the chainsaw from Ewaldsen. “These young men showed extreme courage and were willing to put their own lives in danger to help others. They are a very brave group of people.” Ewaldsen has recently been in jail for aggravated assault and DUI charges. He has been employed at the haunted house for the last couple of weeks helping them put it together and working as an “actor”. Sheriff Lowell also noted that Ewaldsen seemed extremely agitated and could have very well been on drugs. “He was being very uncooperative and had to be forcibly contained. He was screaming and yelling and very violently attempting to attack police officers” The owner of Nightmares, Bobby Sampier was visibly very distraught over the events and told the Daily Record, “I don't understand what has happened here tonight. Jim was a great employee and seemed to be a good person. I don't know why he would be driven to do something like this.” Nightmares is currently closed and will most likely remain closed for the rest of the season.