Up and Vanished — Status Untraced: "Aubrey Sacco Case | Chapter 2: Blank Space"

Podcast: Up and Vanished (Tenderfoot TV)
Host: Liam Luxon
Air Date: September 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this emotional and investigative episode, host Liam Luxon journeys into the heart of Nepal’s Langtang National Park to explore the haunting disappearance of Aubrey Sacco, a 23-year-old solo American trekker missing since 2010. Through intimate interviews with Aubrey’s parents, Paul and Connie Sacco, Luxon weaves together the frustrating search for answers, entrenched cultural obstacles, and the enduring pain and hope of a family in the void. The episode shines a light not only on the particulars of Aubrey's case, but also on larger themes of fear, corruption, and the complicated realities of international disappearances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Day Aubrey Disappeared

• Setting the Scene:
  Aubrey Sacco left for a trek in Nepal's Langtang National Park in April 2010. She was last heard from on April 19, emailing her brother and calling her parents to say "I love you" ([05:09]).

• Initial Discovery:
  Her belongings, including her camera, journal, and backpack, were found at the Elite Motel. Paul Sacco shares the pain of finding Aubrey’s journal, opening it to a page reading, "my dad is my hero" ([02:25]).

  “Dads are supposed to find their daughters when they’re in trouble. ...And when I looked at that map of Nepal…I’m holding it up, hundreds of square miles of nothingness, you know, where the hell is she? It was, like, overwhelming.” — Paul Sacco ([03:37])

2. The Search and Local Dynamics

• The Trek’s Real Dangers:
  Paul attests that the Langtang trek isn’t as perilous as its reputation; an accident seemed unlikely ([04:49]).

• Barriers to Investigation:
  The Saccos encountered false leads and fear among villagers, partly due to superstition but also deep concern over harming the vital tourism industry ([06:23–07:33]).

  “We were always conflicted about how much to press against these people. ...There was this back and forth and us getting to know the villagers, and always lurking in the background was this terrible conflict ...that maybe one of these guys is lying ...or did something to her.” — Paul Sacco ([07:33–08:56])

3. The Three Men at Llama Hotel and Shifting Stories

• Last Known Sighting:
  Aubrey was seen at the Llama Hotel, dining and chatting with three men; staff recall her insisting on continuing alone ([09:08]).

• Conflicting Testimonies:
  Chef Tassi Guru, initially a witness, later denied ever seeing Aubrey. The three men (Tenzing Lama, Galseng Tamang, Aasi Tamang) passed polygraphs, but their stories shifted repeatedly ([09:47–12:18]).

  “It was just conclusion. There was no details about what they said.” — Paul Sacco ([12:47])

4. The Trail’s Darker Side: Army Involvement and Assault

• A New Line of Suspicion:
  Focus shifts to the Nepalese Army, who man trail checkpoints. Stories emerge of soldiers assaulting women—validating the Saccos’ fears about security and accountability ([14:37–18:26]).

• Official Negligence:
  Despite checkpoints, crucial details about hikers’ identities or progress are often not recorded, leaving gaps in accountability ([21:25]).

  “Their job isn’t to help hikers, it’s to show presence…when someone disappears, ...there’s no flag, no follow up, no one to hold accountable. What you’re left with isn’t a timeline, it’s a blank space.” — Liam Luxon ([21:25])

• Comparative Cases:
  Other disappearances and sexual assaults along similar trails are recounted, painting a grim pattern of risk, particularly for solo female travelers ([18:26–20:34]).

5. Breakthroughs, False Starts, and Corruption

• False Arrests and Sting Operations:
  In 2013, news reported the arrest of three village men, not those originally seen with Aubrey. They were implicated after a supposed barroom confession overheard by a police officer ([26:50–28:32]). But lacking evidence, all were released.

  “This is a good example of how crazy shit is up there. The three men that were arrested are completely different from those three guys at the Llama Hotel.” — Paul Sacco ([26:50])

• Tactical Rewards and Relentless Advocacy:
  The family posted a $20,000 (carefully calculated) reward for tips, made media appearances, and worked tirelessly to build contacts and maintain pressure on authorities, fighting local skepticism and corruption ([23:05–23:55]).

  “If you want a one-sentence answer, it was to push those people to do their fucking jobs.” — Paul Sacco ([30:07])

• Theory of Military Cover-up:
  Multiple sources, both official and local, pointed to the Army as possibly involved and capable of making someone "disappear" without a trace. Paul hints at classified conversations and alludes to protectionism rooted in money and power ([30:39–32:33]).

  “All roads led to some thing or somebody that people have a great desire to protect. And that always comes down to money and power.” — Paul Sacco ([32:33])

6. Aubrey’s Inner World: Philosophy, Writings, and Legacy

• Exploring Aubrey’s Mindset:
  The episode considers the possibility Aubrey left intentionally, given her readings of spiritual philosophers Osho and Mooji about seeking self-actualization through leaving one's past behind ([35:05]).

  “Your family will surprise you. …It is possible. For a young woman ...to say, I want to leave this world behind. So we kind of go back and forth…could she be somewhere?” — Paul Sacco ([35:05])

• Journals and Blogs:
  Heartfelt excerpts from Aubrey’s journals are read, revealing her spiritual quest and poetic reflections on belonging, home, and the beauty of exploration ([36:14–38:03]).

  • Notable excerpt:

    “Perhaps it is that we are all citizens of this earth but come from different places we call home. But in some sense there are special places far away ...that may feel very much like home. ...in our hearts we know the land, we know the streets, we know the faces and feel comfort ...as we gaze off into truly unknown territory.” — Aubrey’s journal ([38:03])

• Community Impact and Remembrance:
  Aubrey, nicknamed "Glitter" for her habit of spreading joy with glitter, is memorialized by a painted rock, a clothing swap, music by her father’s band, and countless stories of friends touched by her presence ([40:04–41:39]).

7. Reflection on Solo Travel and Aubrey’s Legacy

• Female Traveler Reflections:
  Solo traveler Lana describes the humility, courage, and grace of exploring alone, noting the beauty—and risks—of trusting strangers and venturing without a net ([41:39–42:48]).

  “Solo traveling kept me humble in life. ...it made me realize that I'm just a small part of this whole universe... because we just all the same thing, we all just trying to survive.” — Lana ([42:18])

• Closing Thoughts:
  Host Liam Luxon underscores the lasting risk and beauty of solo travel, encouraging listeners to focus on Aubrey’s spirit of joy and openness rather than the unknown of her ending ([42:48]).

  “Let it be that version of her. Not the ending, but the leap.” — Liam Luxon ([42:48])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|-------| | 02:25 | Paul Sacco | “There's no way I'm gonna die without knowing what happened to our daughter.” | | 07:33 | Paul Sacco | “Always lurking in the background was this terrible conflict …that maybe one of these guys is lying…and either knows what happened to Aubrey or did something to her.” | | 12:47 | Paul Sacco | “It was just conclusion. There was no details about what they said.” | | 21:25 | Liam Luxon | “Their job isn’t to help hikers, it’s to show presence…When someone disappears… What you’re left with isn’t a timeline, it’s a blank space.” | | 26:50 | Paul Sacco | “This is a good example of how crazy shit is up there. The three men that were arrested are completely different from those three guys at the Llama Hotel.” | | 30:07 | Paul Sacco | “…it was to push those people to do their fucking jobs.” | | 32:33 | Paul Sacco | “All roads led to some thing or somebody that people have a great desire to protect. And that always comes down to money and power.” | | 35:05 | Paul Sacco | “Your family will surprise you. ... It is possible. For a young woman ... to say, ‘I want to leave this world behind.’” | | 38:03 | Narrator (Aubrey's writing) | “...in our hearts we know the land we know the streets, we know the faces and feel comfort and perfection as we gaze off into truly unknown territory.” | | 42:48 | Liam Luxon | “If you’re going to carry anything with you, let it be that version of her. Not the ending, but the leap.” |

Important Timestamps

• [02:25] Paul recounts the devastating discovery of Aubrey's belongings and journal.
• [05:09] Last contacts and timeline of Aubrey's disappearance.
• [07:33] Paul discusses the painful suspicion of villagers.
• [09:08] Last seen at Llama Hotel and the elusive three men.
• [14:37] Testimonies about army misconduct and risks to women travelers.
• [21:25] Reality of ineffective army checkpoints.
• [23:05] Launching the reward and intensifying the search.
• [26:50–28:32] Details and aftermath of the 2013 arrests.
• [30:39–32:33] Paul describes the depth of corruption and cover-up theories.
• [35:05–38:03] Aubrey’s spirituality and travel writings.
• [40:04–41:39] Community tributes and her ongoing legacy.
• [41:39–42:48] Solo traveler Lana’s perspective.
• [42:48] Liam’s closing reflection on Aubrey’s spirit.

Tone

The episode is deeply empathetic and contemplative—poignant, unresolved, and respectful of both the hope and heartbreak surrounding Aubrey's case. The speakers’ voices often express frustration, vulnerability, and awe at both the beauty and complexity of the world Aubrey loved.

Conclusion

This moving chapter of Up and Vanished examines not only the facts, leads, and theories in the cold case of Aubrey Sacco, but also delves into the enduring impact of loss, the search for meaning, and the light that a traveler can leave behind. Both a true crime investigation and a meditation on possibility, the episode invites listeners to remember Aubrey’s openness and courage, holding onto her leap, not her disappearance.

If you have tips or information, email statusuntracedmail.com or call 507-407-2833.