About this episode

The episode explores the mysterious disappearance of Deputy Jon Aujay during a run in the Devil’s Punchbowl and the ensuing search efforts and theories surrounding his case.

Deputy Jon Aujay is former military, an ultramarathon runner, and a part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s elite SWAT unit, so when he fails to return home from a run in Antelope Valley’s Devil’s Punchbowl…no one knows what to think. The sheriff’s department launches a widespread search for him, but finds no trace. Theories of accident, suicide, and desertion swirl, but Aujay’s former boss — retired CaptainMike Bauer — is convinced there’s something darker at play. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here . 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
• mystery
• law enforcement
• theories
• search and rescue

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Los Angeles County Sheriff Department

Places: Antelope Valley, Devil’s Punchbowl

More episodes of Valley of Shadows

• Episode 8: The Finish Line · February 23, 2026 · 53 min
• Episode 7: The Trial · February 16, 2026 · 51 min
• Episode 6: The Big Takedown · February 9, 2026 · 43 min
• Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot · February 2, 2026 · 43 min
• Episode 4: Outlaw Country · January 26, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 3: Tweaker Talk · January 19, 2026 · 47 min

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