Two friends checking hunting cameras in rural North Dakota may have helped save a woman’s life after discovering her badly injured and bleeding near the Wild Rice River, authorities said.
The discovery led to an emergency response, an investigation into a reported knife attack and the arrest of a 60-year-old man on an attempted murder charge.
According to Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner, the woman, 28, was spotted Tuesday on cameras set up near County Road 81 by local resident Jay Schueler. The footage reportedly showed her walking alone near the river, appearing injured and missing some clothing.
Concerned by what they saw, Schueler contacted his friend Jeff Jones, whose property was near the cameras. The two men went to the area to check on the woman and call 911.
They reached her before emergency responders arrived.
When the men found her, she was wet and had multiple cuts on her neck. Sheriff Jahner described the injuries as severe and potentially life-threatening.
Authorities said the woman was treated at the scene before being transported to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo for further care.
Jahner credited the two friends with making a potentially life-saving discovery, saying the woman had been “left out there to die.”
Injured Woman Helps Investigators Identify a Suspect
Despite the seriousness of her injuries, the woman was able to provide investigators with information that helped move the case forward.
According to the sheriff, she gave authorities the name of a possible suspect and information about a vehicle. She also told medical personnel that she had been attacked with a knife.
Investigators received additional help when a witness came forward with information that helped them narrow down where the assault was believed to have occurred.
Using the information gathered during the investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Tracy Vaughn Peters, 60.
Cass County authorities, working with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, located and arrested Peters on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
He was booked into the Cass County Jail on a charge of attempted murder.
The sheriff said the woman and Peters knew each other, although authorities have not publicly detailed the nature of their relationship.
Investigation Continues After Arrest
Although an arrest has been made, investigators are continuing to gather evidence and establish exactly what happened before the woman was discovered near the river.
Authorities are also searching for the knife believed to have been used in the reported attack. Finding the weapon and collecting additional evidence could help investigators clarify the circumstances surrounding the woman’s injuries.
The attempted murder charge is an allegation, and the case remains under investigation. Peters’ arrest does not establish guilt.
Officials have not released the woman’s identity, and further details about the events leading up to the reported assault have not been made public.
A Chance Discovery That May Have Changed Everything
The case highlights how an unexpected discovery can become critical during an emergency. Schueler and Jones were checking hunting cameras when they noticed something concerning enough to investigate rather than ignore.
Their decision to go to the area and contact emergency services brought help to a seriously injured woman who might otherwise have remained undiscovered for longer.
It also gave investigators an early opportunity to speak with the victim and gather information while pursuing a suspect.
For now, authorities are focused on building the case, locating the reported weapon and determining the full circumstances of the incident.
The investigation remains active as the woman receives medical care and law enforcement continues its work.
