#27: The Candy Cane Park Murder

This week, we turn our focus close to home with a case that has haunted our community of La Grande, Oregon for decades— the Candy Cane Park murder.

 In 1983, Dana Dumars was brutally attacked in a place most locals once associated with safety, laughter, and childhood memories. Until the murder. The arrest and conviction of Bart Cochran brought relief to this small community, but did the police get the right person? 

The case quickly became marked with questionable investigative methods, which led to an appeal, resulting in Barts release after his conviction was overturned. Central to that appeal were concerns about use of hypnosis, mind control, "Projection Transfer  Technique" trickery, and claims that evidence might have been planted. Questions were also raised about the Cochran's vulnerability during the interrogation, and his requests for representation being ignored. 

While the murder of Dana Dumars remains unsolved, we look ahead to the possibility that modern DNA science could finally give justice in a case that has cast a shadow on this community far too long. 

Sources: 

M.J. Smith, N. R. Smith, N. Witten, A. Rasheed, (Personal communication, Nov. 12, 2025)

Goldberg, Emma. "A Twist in the Candy Cane Park Murder Investigation in Oregon" - The New York Times, Oct 28, 2025.

Appellate Brief "State V. Cochran, Court of Appeals of Oregon, June 25, 1984

Sharpe, Franklin, "The Brunette was Bludgeoned in Candy Cane Park", Front Page Detective, Dec. 1983

Findagrave.com

La Grande, (AP) Observer, Feb 14, 1983 and Feb 15, 1983

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