Mike Bauer

Bauer's preserving Ajay's belongings for future developments in the case.

Okay, so here's his running shoes with his name on the back.

Those should have some DNA in them.

The artifacts also tell us who Ajay was.

There's a photo collage full of happy memories.

Him and his high school sweetheart, Deb, on their wedding day.

A birthday party for their daughter, Chloe, who was just five when he disappeared.

And puppy pics of Bosco, Ajay's department-issued canine.

And next to these snapshots of domestic life, there's a steel ballistics helmet intended to stop rifle rounds, trophies for marksmanship, army fatigues, you know, tough guy stuff.

Ajay moved at a fast clip, trying to balance the competing demands of home and work.

But his life came to an abrupt and puzzling end.

His death certificate says cause of death unknown, manner of death unknown.

No body.

The deputy's body has never been found, which raises a lot of questions for Mike Bauer.

And a survivalist getting lost in the woods?

Another big question mark.

Over time, the mystery of it all has turned into something else.

Deep and unsettling suspicion about the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The only law enforcement agency in this country that I know of, and I've looked around, who has a missing deputy sheriff and doesn't seem to care.

What the hell happened?