“Secrets He Died With”: The Murder of Dylan Redwine

In the still shadows of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, a 13-year-old boy named Dylan Redwine vanished into a heartbreaking silence that would echo for nearly a decade.

On November 18, 2012, Dylan was forced to visit his estranged father, Mark Redwine, for a court-ordered Thanksgiving stay. He didn’t want to go. His mother, Elaine Hall, didn’t want him to go either. But legal custody rules overrode gut instincts, teenage fears, and the lingering trauma of past abuse. That decision cost Dylan his life.

A Visit He Didn’t Want

Dylan had been open about his discomfort. He had told his mom, his brother Cory, and his friends that he didn’t feel safe with his father. But he went anyway—because he had no choice.

Cory later revealed that he and Dylan had recently discovered something shocking on their father’s computer: graphic, disturbing images of Mark Redwine in women’s lingerie and wigs, including photos involving human feces and diapers. Dylan, both disgusted and disturbed, intended to confront his father about the pictures.

He never got the chance.

The Disappearance

Less than 24 hours after arriving in the small town of Vallecito, Dylan was gone. Mark claimed he had last seen Dylan sleeping on the couch that morning. He said he ran errands, came home, and Dylan was just… missing.

But the story never added up.

Police, search teams, and locals scoured the mountainous terrain. For months, nothing. Then, in June 2013, partial remains were found several miles from Mark’s cabin. Years later, Dylan’s skull was discovered even farther up the mountain—his body scattered, his story shattered.

Forensic evidence in Mark’s home painted a grim picture: Dylan’s blood was found on the couch, under the rug, and on furniture. Cadaver dogs hit on the laundry room, on Redwine’s clothing, and in his truck bed. Investigators were now certain: Dylan had died in that house.

The Motive: Secrets He Couldn’t Face

According to prosecutors, Dylan’s murder wasn’t random. It was personal—and rooted in shame. Mark Redwine killed his own son to hide the truth: not just about crossdressing or sexual preferences, but about the extent of his disturbing, secret life. Dylan had seen the photos. He knew.

Instead of facing his son or seeking help, Mark lashed out in deadly rage.

Even more horrifying: Mark had previously threatened to “kill the kids before letting Elaine have them.” He also said he would hide a body in the mountains. Those chilling words became reality.

The Trial and Justice

It took nearly five years for Mark Redwine to be arrested in 2017, and another four for the trial to finally begin. In July 2021, a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.

He was sentenced to 48 years in prison—the maximum. The judge cited his “utter lack of remorse.” Dylan’s mother, Elaine, called the outcome bittersweet. Justice, but no return.

“You showed no regard for him. You went to great lengths to hide your tracks.” — Judge Jeffrey Wilson to Mark Redwine

Mark still denies responsibility. But the evidence speaks louder than his denial ever could.

A System That Failed

What cuts deepest is that Dylan tried to speak. He voiced his fears. He wanted safety. And the system told him to suck it up. That a father’s rights trumped a child’s instincts.

We need to do better. Custody decisions can’t be made in a vacuum. Children deserve to be heard, especially when history—like in Mark’s case—involves allegations of abuse, control, and manipulation.

Dylan Deserved Better

This isn’t just a tragic crime story—it’s a cry for change. Dylan Redwine was a funny, curious, bright-eyed teen who wanted to spend Thanksgiving snowboarding with friends, not confronting a parent’s dark secrets. He died alone, afraid, and betrayed by the very person who was supposed to protect him.

He deserved love, honesty, and safety. Instead, he got silence, shame, and a justice system that was just a few years too late.