Episode 1: The Devil’s Punchbowl

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

Keywords

• Deputy Jon Aujay
• disappearance
• Devil’s Punchbowl
• Captain Mike Bauer
• Los Angeles County Sheriff Department

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Los Angeles County Sheriff Department

Places: Antelope Valley, Devil’s Punchbowl

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