The community is mourning the sudden loss of Erik Gray Ledbetter, a beloved local park ranger who passed away on July 1, 2025 in the line of duty. A dedicated public servant and an individual of diverse passions, Ledbetter’s life was marked by a deep commitment to history, nature, and the many friendships he cultivated throughout his journey from his childhood in Cheverly to his impactful career in Maryland’s state parks– including his time at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg.
His passing leaves a significant void for his family, friends, and the countless admirers he gathered along the way. The video below shows him explaining scenes from The Blair Witch Project that were filmed in Seneca Creek State Park.
Per Pumphrey Funeral Home: “Erik Gray Ledbetter was born on February 12, 1967, to Edythe Buermeyer and Robert Richard Ledbetter in Washington DC. They lived in Cheverly, MD throughout his childhood. He attended Queen Anne School, did summer programs through Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, learned to sail, and volunteered as a tour guide at the National Air and Space Museum. He greatly prized road trips with his parents, whom he made look at every single cannon on the battlefields they visited. He learned to eat crabs but not pizza…