Lost Hills: Dark Canyon Episode 3: Tweaker Talk from Valley of Shadows
10 snips
Jan 26, 2026 A murder theory tied to a hidden meth lab in Antelope Valley takes center stage. A determined detective reopens cold leads and re-interviews informants who point to a violent suspect. A field visit and aerial survey link trails, a found lab, and a missing deputy’s last known route. The episode probes law enforcement gaps and how the meth crisis reshaped local danger.
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Informants' Repeated Claims Matter
- Meth rumors after John Ajay's disappearance weren't just gossip but a recurring theme worth vetting.
- Larry Brandenburg saw early informant claims as potentially credible, not mere noise.
Hinkle's Bragged Confession
- Sue told Brandenburg that Tom Hinkle bragged about what happened to the missing deputy.
- Hinkle allegedly said the deputy "ran across something he shouldn't have" and "had to be taken care of."
Remoteness Enables Hidden Activity
- The Devil's Punchbowl is remote yet accessible off-trail, making clandestine activity plausible.
- Haley Fox and Betsy Shepard found stretches where someone could hide illegal operations from casual hikers.
