What Happened to Caleb and Who Killed Him?
In Untamed, Caleb Turner’s story lies at the emotional core of the series. He is the teenage son of Kyle Turner, a dedicated National Park Service special agent whose past and grief fuel much of the show’s tension.
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Caleb was killed by Sean Sanderson, a figure embroiled in the park’s criminal underworld. The murder took place during a confrontation that spiraled out of control due to the illicit activities hidden within Yosemite National Park.
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Caleb’s death was not a random act but a direct result of the park’s tangled web of crime, secrets, and desperate attempts at self-preservation among various characters.
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The aftermath of his murder led to a series of cover-ups: Kyle’s ex-wife, Jill Bodwin, became implicated when she hired Shane Maguire to eliminate Sean Sanderson, attempting to protect her family and keep the truth hidden.
Caleb’s tragic fate drives much of the emotional stakes throughout the series, shaping his father’s relentless investigation and shedding light on the dark realities beneath Yosemite’s stunning façade. Caleb’s loss underscores themes of grief, justice, and the moral ambiguity faced by those charged with upholding the law in the wild.
Who Killed Lucy Cook?
Lucy Cook is the alleged murder victim whose death sets off the main investigation. The truth is far more complex:
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Lucy was the victim of a tragic suicide, not murder.
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Her biological father, Paul Souter, unintentionally caused her demise by shooting her in the leg during a confrontation to stop her from exposing his secrets. Lucy then jumped from El Capitan in desperation.
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Paul Souter also hides a long history of protecting her from the public eye by placing her in a foster home using a false identity.
Where Does Untamed Take Place?
The series is set entirely in the vast, wild landscape of Yosemite National Park, California, which serves as a critical, almost character-like backdrop to the dark storyline. It contrasts natural beauty with human sin and mystery.
Where Was Untamed Filmed?
Despite its Californian setting, Untamed was filmed entirely in British Columbia, Canada, mainly in:
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Greater Vancouver (including North Shore Studios and local parks like Murdo Frazer Park)
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Squamish and surrounding areas (Sea-to-Sky Gondola, Mount Seymour Provincial Park)
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Chip Kerr Park in Port Moody, which doubled for Yosemite’s forest and wilderness scenes.
This choice allowed the production easier access to diverse wilderness settings and strong film infrastructure.
Main Cast of Untamed (Netflix)
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Bana | Kyle Turner | National Park Service special agent, haunted father |
| Sam Neill | Paul Souter | Chief park ranger, Lucy’s biological father |
| Rosemarie DeWitt | Jill Bodwin | Kyle’s ex-wife, central to Caleb’s cover-up |
| Lily Santiago | Naya Vasquez | Rookie park ranger assisting with the investigation |
| Wilson Bethel | Shane Maguire | Wildlife officer, hired by Jill to cover up Caleb’s death |
Supporting cast includes locals, squatter community members, and law enforcement figures connected to the park's mysteries.
How Many Episodes Are in Untamed?
Untamed is a limited series with 6 episodes, each running about 50 minutes long, all released on Netflix on July 17, 2025.
What Is Untamed About?
Untamed follows Kyle Turner, an agent of the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch, as he investigates the suspicious death of a young woman (initially a Jane Doe named Lucy) in Yosemite. The investigation exposes a network of drug trafficking, murder, and long-buried secrets involving:
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Illegal drug labs hidden in the park
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Troubled foster care and youth disappearances
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The personal tragedy surrounding Kyle’s son Caleb and his fractured family
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The blurred lines between wilderness law and human law enforcement.
The show is as much a character study of grief and redemption as it is a murder mystery thriller.
Untamed offers a powerful mix of breathtaking natural scenery, intense human drama, and a twisting narrative that gradually reveals the darkness lurking beneath Yosemite’s majestic surface.
Image Credits: johnwellsproductions/ Instagram
FAQs
What is 'Untamed' about?
'Untamed' is a crime mystery drama series where a National Park Service special agent, Kyle Turner, investigates a suspicious death in Yosemite National Park, uncovering dark secrets tied to his own past.
Where is 'Untamed' set?
The show’s story takes place in Yosemite National Park, California.
Where was 'Untamed' filmed?
Despite its Yosemite setting, 'Untamed' was filmed mainly in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
