Lost Hills: Dark Canyon
Western Sound and Pushkin Industries
Lost Hills investigates the dark side of Malibu, California. Beneath a seductive facade, this city of billionaires, celebrities, and surf bums is hiding something menacing.
On September 16, 2009, 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for failing to pay her bill at a restaurant in Malibu, CA. After being released from Lost Hills Station shortly after midnight, she disappeared. Eleven months later, her naked, skeletal remains were discovered in a canyon some six miles away.
For nearly 15 years, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Mitrice’s friends and family, and generations of internet sleuths have tried to crack the case.
To this day, her death remains an unsolved mystery.
The truth lies in the remote Malibu community where Mitrice was last seen. And now, finally, people are starting to talk.
Hosted by Dana Goodyear (The New Yorker) and produced by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries. Show artwork copyright Francesca Gabbiani.
Subscribe to Pushkin plus to hear the whole season early, and ad free. Find Pushkin plus on the Lost Hills show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Follow us @losthillspod on Twitter and Instagram for a deeper dive into the stories.
On September 16, 2009, 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for failing to pay her bill at a restaurant in Malibu, CA. After being released from Lost Hills Station shortly after midnight, she disappeared. Eleven months later, her naked, skeletal remains were discovered in a canyon some six miles away.
For nearly 15 years, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Mitrice’s friends and family, and generations of internet sleuths have tried to crack the case.
To this day, her death remains an unsolved mystery.
The truth lies in the remote Malibu community where Mitrice was last seen. And now, finally, people are starting to talk.
Hosted by Dana Goodyear (The New Yorker) and produced by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries. Show artwork copyright Francesca Gabbiani.
Subscribe to Pushkin plus to hear the whole season early, and ad free. Find Pushkin plus on the Lost Hills show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Follow us @losthillspod on Twitter and Instagram for a deeper dive into the stories.
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 29min
Bad Women Presents Stolen Sister: Elizabeth Plunkett
Bernie and Kathleen Plunkett, younger sisters who lived Elizabeth’s loss firsthand, share family memories and a decades-long fight for justice. They recount Elizabeth’s independence, the night she left the pub alone, the chilling targeting by Shaw and Evans, and why they broke silence now. Short, personal, and driven by the search for answers.
13 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 53min
Episode 8: The Finish Line from Valley of Shadows
Two retired detectives reunite to reexamine tangled leads around the AJay investigation. A suspicious double death at a deputy's home raises questions about ruled suicides and possible cover ups. Paging patterns, autopsy contradictions, and gunshot residue details are scrutinized. Investigators discuss legal strategies, oversight failures, and a troubling pattern of deaths linked to one deputy.
10 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 51min
Episode 7: The Trial from Valley of Shadows
Darren Hager, a former LASD deputy and Operation Silent Thunder member who sued the county, tells first-person accounts and courtroom battles. He discusses award-winning drug raids, being fired and fighting back in court. The conversation digs into internal LASD memos, alleged deputy misconduct, and how disclosures reopened questions about linked killings.
11 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 43min
Episode 6: The Big Takedown from Valley of Shadows
Darren Hager, a retired narcotics detective who led major Antelope Valley investigations, narrates behind-the-scenes law enforcement drama. He describes running Operation Silent Thunder, long wiretap surveillance, tense safe-house moments, and a massive coordinated multi-agency takedown. The story spotlights corruption suspicions, daring rescues, and dramatic raids across the valley.
11 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 43min
Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot from Valley of Shadows
A small town’s Bigfoot folklore collides with real danger around the Devil’s Punchbowl. A deputy’s odd absence from a major search raises suspicion. Informants tie law enforcement to meth dealers and whispered threats. Detectives chase phone logs, wiretaps, and departmental pushback while a covert narcotics operation keeps the case moving.
12 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 47min
Episode 4: Outlaw Country from Valley of Shadows
Darren Hager, a former LASD narcotics detective turned DEA task force agent, recounts undercover work against meth-trafficking biker gangs. He describes forming a covert task force, handling risky informants, and linking outlaw bikers to disappearances. Short, tense stories about raids, evidence, and dangerous alliances drive the conversation.
10 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 47min
Episode 3: Tweaker Talk from Valley of Shadows
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.
8 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 41min
Episode 2: An Unreasonable Act from Valley of Shadows
In this engaging discussion, Mike Bauer, a retired LASD captain and investigator, delves into the enigmatic disappearance of deputy Jon Ajay. Bauer challenges the official suicide narrative, highlighting contradictory evidence and personal accounts that paint a different picture. He reveals rumors of Ajay's potential murder linked to a desert sighting and discusses the emotional impact of the case on Ajay's family, especially after the tragic loss of his daughter. His relentless pursuit of the truth uncovers unsettling details and raises questions that linger.
Nov 13, 2024 • 20min
Important Lost Hills - Dark Canyon Update
The speakers are buzzing with excitement as they arrive at the sheriff's department, eager to dig into the mysterious case of Mitrice Richardson. A surprising email from a detective sparks renewed hope for the investigation. Tensions rise as they discuss a suspect's polygraph test results while grappling with the overwhelming challenges of unsolved cases. New evidence discovered at Rick's Fort brings a sense of accomplishment, promising potential breakthroughs ahead. Plus, amidst serious topics, they humorously tackle holiday safety concerns.
Jul 17, 2024 • 42min
12. Dig Two Graves
The podcast explores the mysterious package received, potential surveillance, and sentimental discoveries. It also delves into new leads, suspicions linking a character to a death, and deceptive behavior. Emotional reflections on a missing loved one's birthday and seeking justice for unresolved cases are highlighted.
