Compartir
Valley of Shadows
How the search for a missing deputy uncovered the Mojave Desert's meth epidemic, the outlaw bikers supplying it, and the corrupt police force covering it up.
On June 11, 1998, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy Jon Aujay went for a run in California’s Devil’s Punchbowl park. A long-distance runner and former military, Aujay felt at home in the rocky terrain, but when he didn’t return home by nightfall, his wife reported him missing. Nearly 30 years later, Aujay has yet to be found and the mystery surrounding his disappearance has only deepened.
Some say Aujay is just another missing hiker, claimed by the inhospitable landscape of the Southern California desert. Some say he took his own life out there. But there’s another theory that many of Aujay’s friends and LASD colleagues are convinced is true… that he was the victim of foul play, and that his own department is covering it up.
Through exclusive interviews, revealing wiretaps, and buried police files, investigative reporters Hayley Fox and Betsy Shepherd dig into what the sheriff’s department has kept hidden all these years.
Told over 8 episodes, Valley of Shadows follows the hairpin turns of the Aujay case, and breaks new ground in the search to uncover what really happened to the missing deputy. New episodes release on Mondays.
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. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack on Spotify.
Todos los Episodios
Introducing: The Expert Witness from CBC’s Uncover
In Akron, Ohio, murder cases that went cold for years are suddenly being solved. But defense attorney Don Malarcik isn’t celebrating; he’s alarmed. The key evidence in these cases is coming from a mysterious AI tool called Cybercheck, a system so secretive that its founder refuses to explain the details of how the technology actually works. Allegedly, Cybercheck uses open-source data to place suspects at crime scenes without the need for witnesses — and while no one, not even prosecutors, understand how it works — it’s being increasingly embraced by U.S. police services and placing people in p
From Deep Cover: The Family Man | The Raid
Deep Cover's new season, The Family Man, tells a story about how families can deceive each other and the lengths we’ll go to to protect our loved ones Elise and Marissa grew up in a seemingly normal house in the suburbs of St. Louis, but it was a house built on secrets. There were things their father never told them—like how he really made his money. One night, the police showed up, raided their house, and seized boxes of evidence. Hours later, the sisters turned on the TV and saw something surreal: their father in the middle of a police chase. The local news identified him as “The Boonie Hat
The Dahlia Zodiac Connection: Part One | from L.A. Times Studios
Here's a preview of another podcast, Crimes of the Times, a podcast from the Los Angeles Times Studios. The identity of the Zodiac Killer has remained a mystery for decades, but new developments may finally point to an answer. At the center is the infamous Z13 cipher, a 13-character code sent to the San Francisco Chronicle that has long defied experts. Self-taught codebreaker Alex Baber used artificial intelligence and exhaustive analysis to narrow millions of possibilities down to a single name. As his theory gained traction, former detectives and intelligence experts began testing its credib
Bad Women Presents Stolen Sister: Elizabeth Plunkett
Here's a preview of a podcast we think you'll enjoy, Bad Women Presents Stolen Sister, a special limited series from RTÉ. The story of Elizabeth Plunkett – a 23 year old woman from Dublin who was murdered by Ireland’s first serial killers. On the last weekend of summer in 1976 Elizabeth Plunkett went on a night away with friends, to Brittas Bay in county Wicklow before she was abducted by John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Now, almost 50 years later, Elizabeth’s family are finally trying to get their sister some justice. Binge all episodes of Bad Women Presents Stolen Sister early and ad-free with
Episode 8: The Finish Line
A reunion between two retired detectives brings new focus to the Aujay investigation, just as Hayley and Betsy find out about another tragedy in the Punchbowl area. When a woman and her father are shot dead in deputy Engels’ home, the fatalities should’ve prompted the sheriff’s department to take a harder look at the alleged dirty deputy. But, instead, the LASD tries to bury the matter and — just like in the Aujay case — the deaths are ruled suicides. Hayley and Betsy press the department for answers about these and other suspicious deaths that occurred in Engels’ jurisdiction. Hear the full
Episode 7: The Trial
While the DEA showers Hager in accolades, the LASD turns against him. But Hager fights back, and drags the department’s dirty secrets out into open court. Betsy and Hayley go through thousands of pages of court documents, including internal LASD memos and recordings, to find out what the department knows about Aujay’s disappearance. 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 informa
Episode 6: The Big Takedown
Brandenburg is taken off the Aujay case, but the LASD can’t stop Hager and the federal task force. With the help of wiretaps, informants, and 18 months of investigation, the team pulls off one of the largest drug stings in Antelope Valley history and nets a key witness in the Aujay case. 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.
Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot
Decades before Jon Aujay’s disappearance, the Devil’s Punchbowl was infamous for something else: Bigfoot sightings. Sasquatch became a known boogeyman in the area. But beneath the folklore lies something real —- a local deputy, named Rick Engels, whose reputation inspires a different kind of fear. As detectives Brandenburg and Hager look into their colleague, they uncover a surprising connection to the Aujay case. 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 Ap
Episode 4: Outlaw Country
As Detective Brandenburg follows leads in the Aujay case, he finds himself with an unlikely ally. A young buck narcotics detective named Darren Hager, who’s trying to dismantle a meth syndicate run by a local biker gang. Hager discovers that his bikers have a disturbing connection to Aujay’s disappearance — and to some of his own LASD colleagues. So he brings in the big guns, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and they launch a covert task force. 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 th
Episode 3: Tweaker Talk
At the time of Jon Aujay’s disappearance, California is under siege by a meth epidemic and the Antelope Valley is the epicenter. So when investigators receive tips that Aujay was killed after stumbling upon a meth lab, it seems like a theory worth looking into. But LASD detectives are quick to dismiss the leads. Questioning why the cops are so dismissive, Betsy and Hayley discover there was one cop, Homicide Detective Larry Brandenburg, who bucked the company line and refused to let the Aujay trail go cold. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here. Binge the entire season of Valley of
Episode 2: An Unreasonable Act
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 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
Episode 1: The Devil’s Punchbowl
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 subscrib
Introducing Valley of Shadows: Corruption in California’s Mojave Desert
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy Jon Aujay disappeared nearly 30 years ago in a remote part of the Mojave Desert. Investigative reporters Betsy Shepherd and Hayley Fox dig into why Aujay’s former department may never want him found. In the process, the hosts uncover vestiges of the Wild West in a small California town, where outlaw biker gangs crank out methamphetamine and local cops operate on both sides of the law. 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/plu
Más de Podcast
Ver perfil →
The Last 12 Weeks
By shows
In 1992, David Wood was convicted of murdering young women and girls and burying them in the desert outside El Paso, earning him the nickname the Desert Killer. More than 30 years later, his lawyers have one last chance to argue his innocence and stop his execution. “The Last 12 Weeks” follows a team of capital defense lawyers as they try to save their client’s life. The series, produced by Serial Productions and The New York Times in collaboration with The Marshall Project, focuses on the high stakes and at times bizarre work involved in trying to halt an execution. With an extraordinary level of access to a capital case in its final stretch, the longtime death penalty reporter Maurice Chammah takes listeners into the room with the lawyers as the clock ticks down. Maurice and Alvin Melathe, a producer, follow members of the defense team as they look for alternate suspects, try to find new evidence to poke holes in the case, and track down hard-to-find witnesses. In the end, will the lawyers’ efforts be enough to persuade a deeply skeptical court system — and stop an execution three decades in the making? “The Last 12 Weeks.” A five-part series … on a deadline.
Rotten Mango
By shows
Rotten but still a little sweet! Rotten Mango is a true crime + all things spooky podcast. We love doing deep dives into the darkest crimes and we tend to not leave out any details - which can get a little rotten at times. If you want deep dives in the psychology of killers, no holding back storytelling of crimes, and stories of lesser known criminals from around the world this is the place for you. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Rotten Mango ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Palabras Mayores - Carlos Antonio Vélez
By shows
Hablamos de lo que más nos gusta; el fútbol. No somos hinchas de nadie, tampoco hacemos parte de las relaciones publicas de un club, de una selección, de algún dirigente, de algún técnico o de algunos jugadores.
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
By shows
You built the life you were supposed to want. So why doesn't it feel like enough?<br /><br />Passion Struck with John R. Miles is the #1 alternative health podcast exploring the deepest questions of human well-being — how we think, how we feel, how we connect, and how we build lives that don't quietly hollow us out from the inside. Hosted by bestselling author, Navy veteran, and former Fortune 50 executive John R. Miles, this is the show for anyone who wants to understand themselves more deeply and live more fully.<br /><br />Every week, John sits down with the world's leading voices across neuroscience, psychology, medicine, philosophy, sports, business, and the arts — guests like Seth Godin, Ryan Holiday, Susan Cain, Mark Hyman, Angela Duckworth, and Arthur Brooks. Together, they explore what it actually takes to build a life that feels like yours—how to strengthen your mind and body, build relationships that sustain you, find purpose before you’ve lost it or reclaim it after you have, and break free from stress, numbness, and the quiet drift of going through the motions.<br /><br />Whether you're 26 and trying to build your life the right way from the start, or 43 and wondering why the life you built doesn't feel like yours, this show meets you exactly where you are. Because the questions you're carrying deserve real answers.<br /><br />New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.<br /><br />85 Million Downloads | Gold Stevie Award | Davey Gold for Social Impact
Dumb Blonde
By shows
<p>Asking the questions others are afraid to. Bunnie XO host of the Dumb Blonde podcast – the ultimate destination for comedy, trending and lifestyle. Get ready to dive into hilarious discussions about relationships, trauma, embarrassing moments, and all the realness life throws at us. Join Bunnie every week to laugh, relate, and embrace your inner healing.</p>
The Snare
By shows
In 1996, 18-year-old Angie Dodge is found brutally murdered in her Idaho Falls home. Police zero in on a suspect and put a man behind bars. But as the years pass, doubts emerge about whether the real killer was ever caught. Leading the fight for answers is an unlikely advocate: Angie’s own mother, who embarks on a decades-long mission to uncover the truth. A six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, hosted by Maggie Rulli. New episodes Tuesdays.
Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb
By shows
<p>Joy is essential.</p> <p>And it's also elusive. You can't order it, borrow it, or simply hope it into life.</p> <p>But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence: The Joy 101 Podcast with Hoda!</p> <p>Best known for her Emmy-winning work and co-anchoring <em>Today,</em> Hoda Kotb infuses her authenticity, curiosity, and warmth into conversations with the world’s most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sport icons, wellness experts, and everyday folks will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. Hoda will offer her own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced, harmonious life. </p> <p>If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune in to these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats.</p> <p>Joy after a breakup, joy as an empty-nester, joy after loss, joy as a caretaker — Hoda's new podcast will speak to you.</p> <p>Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, an iHeartPodcast.</p>
Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura
Ver toda la categoría →The Last 12 Weeks
By shows
In 1992, David Wood was convicted of murdering young women and girls and burying them in the desert outside El Paso, earning him the nickname the Desert Killer. More than 30 years later, his lawyers have one last chance to argue his innocence and stop his execution. “The Last 12 Weeks” follows a team of capital defense lawyers as they try to save their client’s life. The series, produced by Serial Productions and The New York Times in collaboration with The Marshall Project, focuses on the high stakes and at times bizarre work involved in trying to halt an execution. With an extraordinary level of access to a capital case in its final stretch, the longtime death penalty reporter Maurice Chammah takes listeners into the room with the lawyers as the clock ticks down. Maurice and Alvin Melathe, a producer, follow members of the defense team as they look for alternate suspects, try to find new evidence to poke holes in the case, and track down hard-to-find witnesses. In the end, will the lawyers’ efforts be enough to persuade a deeply skeptical court system — and stop an execution three decades in the making? “The Last 12 Weeks.” A five-part series … on a deadline.
Rotten Mango
By shows
Rotten but still a little sweet! Rotten Mango is a true crime + all things spooky podcast. We love doing deep dives into the darkest crimes and we tend to not leave out any details - which can get a little rotten at times. If you want deep dives in the psychology of killers, no holding back storytelling of crimes, and stories of lesser known criminals from around the world this is the place for you. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Rotten Mango ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Palabras Mayores - Carlos Antonio Vélez
By shows
Hablamos de lo que más nos gusta; el fútbol. No somos hinchas de nadie, tampoco hacemos parte de las relaciones publicas de un club, de una selección, de algún dirigente, de algún técnico o de algunos jugadores.
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
By shows
You built the life you were supposed to want. So why doesn't it feel like enough?<br /><br />Passion Struck with John R. Miles is the #1 alternative health podcast exploring the deepest questions of human well-being — how we think, how we feel, how we connect, and how we build lives that don't quietly hollow us out from the inside. Hosted by bestselling author, Navy veteran, and former Fortune 50 executive John R. Miles, this is the show for anyone who wants to understand themselves more deeply and live more fully.<br /><br />Every week, John sits down with the world's leading voices across neuroscience, psychology, medicine, philosophy, sports, business, and the arts — guests like Seth Godin, Ryan Holiday, Susan Cain, Mark Hyman, Angela Duckworth, and Arthur Brooks. Together, they explore what it actually takes to build a life that feels like yours—how to strengthen your mind and body, build relationships that sustain you, find purpose before you’ve lost it or reclaim it after you have, and break free from stress, numbness, and the quiet drift of going through the motions.<br /><br />Whether you're 26 and trying to build your life the right way from the start, or 43 and wondering why the life you built doesn't feel like yours, this show meets you exactly where you are. Because the questions you're carrying deserve real answers.<br /><br />New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.<br /><br />85 Million Downloads | Gold Stevie Award | Davey Gold for Social Impact
Dumb Blonde
By shows
<p>Asking the questions others are afraid to. Bunnie XO host of the Dumb Blonde podcast – the ultimate destination for comedy, trending and lifestyle. Get ready to dive into hilarious discussions about relationships, trauma, embarrassing moments, and all the realness life throws at us. Join Bunnie every week to laugh, relate, and embrace your inner healing.</p>
The Snare
By shows
In 1996, 18-year-old Angie Dodge is found brutally murdered in her Idaho Falls home. Police zero in on a suspect and put a man behind bars. But as the years pass, doubts emerge about whether the real killer was ever caught. Leading the fight for answers is an unlikely advocate: Angie’s own mother, who embarks on a decades-long mission to uncover the truth. A six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, hosted by Maggie Rulli. New episodes Tuesdays.
Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb
By shows
<p>Joy is essential.</p> <p>And it's also elusive. You can't order it, borrow it, or simply hope it into life.</p> <p>But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence: The Joy 101 Podcast with Hoda!</p> <p>Best known for her Emmy-winning work and co-anchoring <em>Today,</em> Hoda Kotb infuses her authenticity, curiosity, and warmth into conversations with the world’s most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sport icons, wellness experts, and everyday folks will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. Hoda will offer her own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced, harmonious life. </p> <p>If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune in to these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats.</p> <p>Joy after a breakup, joy as an empty-nester, joy after loss, joy as a caretaker — Hoda's new podcast will speak to you.</p> <p>Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, an iHeartPodcast.</p>