National Park After Dark Introducing Valley of Shadows: The Devil’s Punchbowl
Jan 19, 2026
Mike Bauer, a retired captain from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, shares his deep frustration over the mysterious disappearance of Deputy Jon Aujay in 1998. He recounts the alarming day Aujay went missing during a run in the Devil's Punchbowl, detailing the extensive search efforts that found no trace of him. Bauer raises concerns about the department's handling of the case, hinting at potential corruption. With a focus on Aujay's background and personal effects, the discussion reveals lingering doubts about the official narrative and invites listeners to dig deeper.
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Elite Runner Vanishes During Solo Run
- Mike Bauer recounts Deputy John Ajay as an elite, loner survivalist and Army paratrooper who ran 50-mile routes and worked in SEB.
- Ajay entered Devil's Punchbowl for a run on June 11, 1998, used a payphone, and never returned.
Colleagues Led The Fruitless Search
- Search and rescue teams made up of Ajay's colleagues scoured the Devil's Punchbowl and found no trace of him.
- The deputy's body has never been recovered, deepening the mystery around his disappearance.
Personal Items Preserve A Contradictory Life
- Mike Bauer preserves Ajay's belongings in five boxes, including an SEB jacket, running shoes, and a ballistics helmet.
- The artifacts reveal both domestic life and tactical identity, underscoring the contradiction of his disappearance.