
Episode 2: An Unreasonable Act | Valley of Shadows
From Examined: The Backfire Effect by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries
January 19, 2026 · 41 min · Season 5 · Episode 2
About this episode
The episode explores the mysterious disappearance of deputy Jon Aujay and the conflicting narratives surrounding his fate.
Find episode 1 of Valley of Shadows on the Valley of Shadows show page. After deputy Jon Aujay disappears, the sheriff’s department claims he was suicidal — pointing to marital troubles and erratic behavior in the weeks before he vanished. But the LASD’s official story doesn’t square with what Aujay’s loved ones and colleagues remember. Then, investigators start to hear rumors that the deputy didn’t take his own life, but was murdered for something he witnessed out in the desert. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack on Spotify . Binge the entire season of Valley of Shadows, ad-free, by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Valley of Shadows show page on Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm/plus . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Topics covered
- disappearance
- suicide
- murder
- investigation
- law enforcement
- rumors
Keywords
- Jon Aujay
- disappearance
- suicidal
- murder
- LASD
- Valley of Shadows
- investigation
Sponsors
Pushkin+
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: LASD, Apple Podcasts, Pushkin.fm
Books & works: Valley of Shadows
More episodes of Examined: The Backfire Effect
- Trailer: The Backfire Effect · September 8, 2026 · 3 min
- Lost Hills is Becoming Examined · September 4, 2026 · 2 min
- Episode 8: The Finish Line | Valley of Shadows · March 2, 2026 · 53 min
- Episode 7: The Trial | Valley of Shadows · February 23, 2026 · 51 min
- Episode 6: The Big Takedown | Valley of Shadows · February 16, 2026 · 43 min
- Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot | Valley of Shadows · February 9, 2026 · 43 min
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