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Valley of Shadows

Pushkin Industries
Jon Aujay
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Methamphetamine
Devil's Punchbowl
Mojave Desert
Antelope Valley
Rick Engels
Darren Hager
Ultramarathon
Zodiac Killer
Florissant, Missouri
Akron, United States
Cybercheck
Corruption
Larry Brandenburg
Tom Hinkle
Sheriff's Department
Operation Silent Thunder
Kent Bailey
Deputy Jon Aujay

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 ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes10Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for Valley of Shadows

Latest Episodes

Nearly 40 years ago, in the parking lot of a community college in Port Huron, Michigan, a 20-year-old student named Scott Macklem was shot dead in broad daylight. His murder shocked the community. It made no sense. The police quickly found their susp... more

In February 2024, celebrated children’s book author and illustrator Petra Mathers and her husband, photographer Michael Mathers, mailed letters to dozens of friends and family members to let them know they had died by suicide. Petra and Michael were ... more

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 sec... more

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 hou... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Marcia Etro
Pharmacy employee who knew the Mathers
Pyramid Drug, Astoria
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Eric Halvorson
Deputy Chief of Police, Astoria Police Department
Astoria Police Department
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Michael Coy
Friend of Petra Mathers
Unknown, referenced as Petra's friend
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Michael Braske
Friend of Petra Mathers
Unknown, referenced as Petra's friend
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Patricia Flynn
Executor mentioned in letters
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Corey Gehrig
Unknown role referenced
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Don Malarcik
Criminal defense attorney in Akron, Ohio
Akron defense firm
Episode: Introducing: The Expert Witness from CBC’s Uncover
Marie DeCola
Attorney at Ohio Defense Firm (paralegal turned attorney)
Ohio Defense Firm
Episode: Introducing: The Expert Witness from CBC’s Uncover
Greg Kelly
Senior Director for Digital Forensics
Archer Hall
Episode: Introducing: The Expert Witness from CBC’s Uncover

Hosts

Betsy Shepherd
Co-host and investigative reporter with Pushkin Industries; long-time contributor to Valley of Shadows.
Hayley Fox
Co-host and investigative reporter; leads interviews and on-the-ground reporting in the series.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 634 ratings
  • Wonderfully done!

    Love the two hosts and can't wait to hear what else they bring to us!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FailedWookiee
    United States2 months ago
  • Valley of shadows

    I loved every thing about this podcast I just wish there were more! The dark history of LASD is insane! Absolute banger of a podcast!

    Audible
    5
    nikolas rincon
    United States3 months ago
  • Fantastic podcast!

    I was shaken to my core!!! The hosts do an excellent job of presenting complex information in a way that's easy to follow without sacrificing depth. The story builds tension through strong reporting, compelling interviews, and careful storytelling. By the end, I was left thinking not just about the case, but about the broader questions the series raises about power, accountability, and truth. The only negative thing I can say about this podcast is that it made me miss my exit on the way home bec... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thedoublepisces
    United States3 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Very interesting and captivating podcast but the adds are exceptionally inappropriate and annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    lellamanny
    Australia3 months ago
  • Slow burn

    It took me a few episodes to get into the story. It starts off slow but it’s worth listening to. I just really wish they found who’s responsible and put them in prison.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AppalachianKid
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The production quality and storytelling are frequently highlighted as engaging and accessible, though occasional paywalls or ad intensity draw ire.
Listeners praise rigorous, deep-dive reporting and compelling interviews that reveal wider questions of accountability and truth.
Positive notes often mention the hosts' credibility and dedication, with strong enthusiasm for future seasons.
Some listeners critique excessive host banter and a few moments of self-insertion in narration.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#177
Singapore/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#194
Japan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#202
Sweden/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#215
Netherlands/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 6: The Big Takedown
Q: What will you do with information about Jon Aujay's case?
Hinkle maintains he will take information about the missing deputy to the grave, implying he knows more than he's willing to share.
Episode 4: Outlaw Country
Q: Can you give us a reality check on making meth in the desert?
It's very similar to what you see on shows like Breaking Bad; we were dealing with extremely pure meth from local producers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Valley of Shadows

What is Valley of Shadows about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deeply reported true crime series that follows the hunt for a missing deputy in the Mojave Desert and uncovers a mosaic of meth trafficking, outlaw biker networks, and systemic corruption within law enforcement. Across recent seasons, investigators leverage exclusive interviews, archival materials, and wiretaps to explore how a high-profile disappearance intersects with organized crime, local politics, and public accountability. The narrative style blends on-the-ground reporting with personal perspectives, producing a tense, investigative experience that appeals to listeners who value thorough context, data-driven clues, and human-centered storytelling. Noteworthy is the sustained focus on the tension between police transparency and cover... more

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How many listeners does Valley of Shadows get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Valley of Shadows has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Valley of Shadows?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Valley of Shadows:

1. Deep Cover
2. The Binge Crimes: What Happened to the Harrisons?
3. The Binge Cases: What She Buried
4. Examined: The Backfire Effect
5. Focus: Adults in the Room

How many episodes of Valley of Shadows are there?

Valley of Shadows launched 9 months ago and published 10 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Valley of Shadows?

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What guests have appeared on Valley of Shadows?

Recent guests on Valley of Shadows include:

1. Marcia Etro
2. Eric Halvorson
3. Michael Coy
4. Michael Braske
5. Patricia Flynn
6. Corey Gehrig
7. Don Malarcik
8. Marie DeCola

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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