Episode 2: An Unreasonable Act from Valley of Shadows

About this episode

The episode explores the mysterious disappearance of deputy Jon Aujay and the conflicting narratives surrounding his fate.

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

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• Episode 8: The Finish Line from Valley of Shadows · March 2, 2026 · 53 min
• Episode 7: The Trial from Valley of Shadows · February 23, 2026 · 51 min
• Episode 6: The Big Takedown from Valley of Shadows · February 16, 2026 · 43 min
• Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot from Valley of Shadows · February 9, 2026 · 43 min
• Episode 4: Outlaw Country from Valley of Shadows · February 2, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 3: Tweaker Talk from Valley of Shadows · January 26, 2026 · 47 min