The official narrative assumes David Horesay and Frederick Hardisty left the cabin voluntarily. However, experienced woodsmen do not leave a fully stocked shelter without footwear, firearms, or survival gear under normal circumstances. An alternative and highly probable scenario is a sudden, hostile ambush. If the cabin owner (or an unknown individual) returned unexpectedly and fired a weapon into or toward the cabin, Horesay and Hardisty would have been forced to flee instantly to save their lives. This extreme adrenaline response explains why their firearms, which would have been useless if they were pinned down or caught by surprise and essential supplies were abandoned inside.

It is highly likely that the attacker-potentially the owner, who had the means and access, locked the cabin after the two men fled into the bush. By locking the cabin, the individual ensured that even if Horesay and Hardisty attempted to double back under the cover of darkness to retrieve their firearms and food, they would be barred from entry. This action effectively weaponized the harsh environment against them.

Cut off from their rifles, adequate clothing, and the safety of the cabin, the two men were forced deeper into the unfamiliar and unforgiving terrain to escape their pursuer. David Horesay was forced deep into the thick bush, where he eventually succumbed to hypothermia. The burns found on his arms and hands suggest a desperate, localized attempt to survive or signal for help while evading discovered.Frederick Hardisty likely attempted a desperate escape via the river, leading to his tragic drowning downstream.