Podcast Summary: True Crime All The Time Unsolved

Episode: Nancy Ng

Release Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson ("Gibby")

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode investigates the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Ng, a 29-year-old California woman who vanished while kayaking during a yoga retreat at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, in October 2023. The official explanation is accidental drowning, but her family and independent investigators point to a troubling lack of transparency and conflicting witness accounts, raising questions about what really happened, possible negligence, and how authorities handled the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Nancy Ng? (04:37)

• Nancy lived in Monterey Park, CA, and worked as a behavioral interventionist.
• Described as deeply caring, environmentally conscious, and passionate about travel and yoga.
• Attended the "Be the Change" yoga retreat for a second year due to her positive first experience.

Quote:
"She cares so much about the environment and she's just an inner child on the outside. She will literally dance in the rain." – Nikki Ng (Nancy's sister), recounted by Mike Ferguson (05:44).

2. Timeline of Disappearance (07:45–10:31)

• Nancy left for Guatemala on October 14, 2023; disappeared on the morning of October 19 during a group kayaking trip.
• She separated from the group; witnesses report she was last seen paddling with another woman, Christina Blaszak.
• Group waited approximately 24 hours before officially reporting her missing and left Guatemala the following day, alarming the Ng family.

Quote:
"The yoga group left Guatemala. The very next day, Nancy's family was horrified when they received a call from the retreat organizer informing them Nancy was missing." – Mike Fergus (09:35)

3. Initial Reactions and Search Efforts (10:31–12:49)

• First air search: October 21.
• Family described their agony over the lack of information.
• Early November: Kayak video emerges showing Nancy in good spirits before entering the lake.
• Official ruling: Drowning; group reportedly delayed involving authorities.

4. Conflicting Witness Accounts and Timeline Discrepancies (12:49–20:19)

• Prosecutor’s narrative: Nancy swam out from her kayak with a companion and drowned.
• Kayak Guatemala (rental company): Only eight of ten returned; observed two kayaks (Nancy and Christina) separated from group.
• Group’s behavior post-disappearance: Described as withdrawn, left quickly, did not communicate with rental owners or authorities.

Quote:
"It was almost like immediately clamming up and like, we're not going to say anything." – Elaine Beal, kayak rental owner, as quoted by Mike Fergus (17:23)
"Leaving within 8, 12 hours of the accident makes no sense to me." – Elaine Beal (18:06)

5. Witness Controversy: Christina Blaszak & Retreat Organizer (21:56–26:07)

• Christina, a San Bernardino deputy public defender, identified as a key witness.
• Black Wolf Helicopters (private search team) named Christina and retreat host Eduardo Ramada as persons of interest due to lack of cooperation.
• Christina’s attorney (Christopher Gardner) insists she spoke fully to Guatemalan police and the FBI, was traumatized, and did not flee Guatemala.

Quote:
"To say my client hasn't done all she can is not true... She tried to tell her not to swim because it was rough out there... She tried to get back to her and then apparently she lost the kayak again, and when she turned back around, Ms. Ng was gone." – Christopher Gardner (Christina's attorney) (23:45–24:08)

• Official records: Guatemalan AG’s office says they never interviewed Christina; the family claims her statements are missing from the case file.

6. Questions About Search Logistics & Negligence (32:35–37:34)

• Claims kayak company failed to require or offer life vests, provide safety instructions, or collect emergency contacts.
• Kayak company claims vests were offered and refused.
• Unclear, rushed procedures; confusion about what safety protocols (if any) were followed.

Quote:
"This was not a very well planned activity by the group, but also the vendor that was supplying the kayaks... everybody was kind of flying by the seat of their pants maybe a little bit." – Mike Gibson (37:34)

7. Impacts on the Family, Witness Intimidation & Online Harassment (40:48–44:45)

• Ng family pressed for answers, turned to public appeals and media; expressed regret about resulting online vitriol.
• Christina faced harassment and death threats after being publicly named, further complicating dialogue.
• Christina’s account: Gave police/FBI statements, reported Nancy's kayak drifted twice, last saw her swimming, became distressed and sought help.

Quote:
"It kind of brings into focus a little bit more maybe why Christina didn't want to come forward with too much information." – Mike Fergus (41:14)

8. Stalemate & Lingering Mysteries (54:02–62:56)

• Dispute over whether Christina’s statement exists in official records or if there was police negligence or bribery.
• Guatemalan authorities requested US assistance for additional witness interviews.
• As of January 2026, the family is planning another search; Nancy Ng remains missing.

Quote:
"You have a lot of conflicting information... the family believes one thing, and then there are other sides that believe something else." – Mike Fergus (53:01)

9. Discussion of Motive and Possibility of Foul Play (55:56–62:08)

• Hosts note the absence of any clear motive for foul play.
• Considerations: No evidence of previous relationship strife or animosity between Nancy and any group member, including Christina.
• Possibility remains that the events unfolded exactly as described by Christina: accidental drowning in a dangerous, fast-changing natural setting.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "What does 'disappeared in the water' really mean? ...Did they flip the kayak? Did they jump in the water?" – Mike Fergus (12:42)
• "If someone in my group is missing, I'll worry about [flight changes] later. It does seem odd." – Mike Fergus (19:15)
• "It's like guilty until proven innocent in the court of public opinion." – Mike Fergus (41:17)
• "You also have to think about the person in family that died or is missing and provide them some type of response to help them work through this." – Mike Gibson (29:14)
• "What would be the motive for Christina to have done something to Nancy Ng?" – Mike Fergus (55:57)

Important Timestamps

• 04:01 – Episode subject introduced: the disappearance of Nancy Ng.
• 07:45 – Nancy leaves for Guatemala; context of the yoga retreat.
• 09:35 – Family learns of disappearance; group’s sudden departure.
• 12:49 – Official investigation: 24-hour reporting delay, initial ruling of drowning.
• 17:23 – Kayak Guatemala owners describe group's reserved/distressed behavior post-incident.
• 23:45 – Christina’s account (via attorney); witness controversy.
• 32:35 – Negligence allegations: life vests and safety procedures.
• 40:48 – Online harassment post-naming of witnesses.
• 46:37 – Christina's detailed statement to authorities as recounted by her lawyer.
• 55:28 – Ongoing search efforts, upcoming search scheduled for March 2026.
• 57:31–61:17 – Hosts analyze scenarios, rule out likely foul play due to lack of motive.

Overall Tone

The hosts maintain a compassionate, thoughtful, and sometimes lightly humorous approach. They emphasize the agony of uncertainty for Nancy’s family, acknowledge complexities for witnesses, point out investigative discrepancies, and also express frustration with internet speculation and harassment.

Conclusions & Takeaways

• Nancy Ng’s disappearance remains unresolved, shrouded in confusion, conflicting reports, and a lack of physical evidence.
• The case demonstrates challenges of US citizens going missing abroad, the unreliability of secondhand accounts, and the dangers of internet-driven persecution.
• While accidental drowning is the official explanation, the family, independent investigators, and the hosts remain troubled by the many inconsistencies in both witness conduct and the ensuing investigation.

For further updates and to support Nancy Ng’s family, they have an active GoFundMe page (as of January 2026).