Twenty-One-Year-Old New York Woman Named As Suspect In "Creepytings" Vandalism In Western Parks

October 29, 2014

A 21-year-old New York woman, Casey Nocket, was identified Wednesday by the National Park Service as the prime suspect involved in painting images on rock outcrops in at least eight Western national parks.

The woman's name previously was released by bloggers, who tracked her via photos on her Instagram account that documented paintings scattered throughout the park system. National Park Service investigators confirmed that images were painted on rocks and boulders in Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, all in California; Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado National Monument, both in Colorado; Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon; Zion National Park and Canyonlands National Park, both in Utah.

"Investigators continue to collect evidence of the crimes, conduct interviews, and are consulting with the U.S. Attorney's Office about potential charges," Park Service spokesman Jeffrey Olson said in a release. "We ask the public to exercise patience and allow due process to take its course as the investigation moves forward."

The image in Rocky Mountain National Park was reported to the park and removed in late September before similar images were found in the other national parks, he added. While ice and snow now cover the image at Crater Lake National Park, and so it may not be accessible for assessment and clean up until next summer, an image in Yosemite National Park was removed by an unknown person or persons, the Park Service said.

If people visiting these parks come upon these images, they should contact the nearest park ranger with information about the image location. Visitors should not attempt to remove the images, the Park Service said.

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Comments

Permalink Submitted by Whipperin1 on October 29, 2014 - 11:22pm.

What is wrong with creating new National Park artifacts? If these paintings were done by native people in the past they would be protected by the National Park Service. The NPS has a mission to protect and preserve the parks for future generations but at what point in time do they choose to stop time and protect and preserve stuff? What is the standard the NPS uses to judge what should be protected and preserved? What is wrong with modern art in the Parks made by modern natives? Must time stand still for the NPS?

Permalink Submitted by rdm24 on October 30, 2014 - 3:50pm.

What is the standard the NPS uses to judge what should be protected and preserved?

More to the point, NPS didn't apply any standard, because Casey Nocket acted illegally. If you want to install some artwork in a National Park, you can go through a permit process, and then argue about the standards that the NPS will apply your application.

My guess is that anything permit, like Nocket's arcyllic paint, would not be permitted, but ephemeral art, like that of Andrew Goldsworthy, would be permitted.

Permalink Submitted by Rick B. on October 30, 2014 - 3:15am.

"If these paintings were done by native people in the past they would be protected by the National Park Service"

Yeah, maybe. But they weren't.

All of your questions are answered in park policies, federal law, scope of collection statements, and such. Put simply - none of those policies encourages vandalism. By the way - if this is Casey posting here, nobody is impressed with your art skills. Please turn yourself in before you further humiliate yourself.

Permalink Submitted by Jim Burnett on October 30, 2014 - 9:00am.

Centuries ago there was no concept of special, protected areas such as national parks. If modern "artists" of dubious talent want to slap their work on rocks, they are welcome to seek out private property and obtain permission to do so. If this individual is too lazy or cheap to do so, she can always join other vandals, and pick out a boxcar or two.

Permalink Submitted by rmackie on October 30, 2014 - 9:39am.

I must agree Jim. Thanks.

Permalink Submitted by rdm24 on October 30, 2014 - 3:51pm.

Actually, what's the process for installing a statue on the National Mall? Isn't that the process NPS should use for allowing permanent art installations in Parks?

Permalink Submitted by Amarillobymorning on October 30, 2014 - 7:51pm.

If Miss Creepytings is seeking to mark her place in history, she need only be painting something on the edge of a scenic cliff when I'm passing by. I do not guarantee her immortality -- quite the opposite -- but the splat she makes when she lands ought to be quite colorfully artistic.

Permalink Submitted by Rick B. on June 14, 2016 - 12:10am.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/woman-pleads-guilty-defacing-rock...

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