Ep 17. Fatal Crossing

In the 17th episode of the 32nd season of 48 Hours Mystery titled Fatal Crossing, the true story of a young woman named Austen Mc Cormick is presented and examined. Austen, who was about to start her senior year in college, was planning a road trip to visit her parents in the Pacific Northwest. She would make the journey alone, setting off from her hometown of Boise, Idaho along the way.

On August 19th, 2020, Austen’s family spoke to her for the last time. As the hours ticked by, their worry grew and after several hours of trying to contact her with no success, they alerted authorities. When they were able to obtain her location from her cellular data, they saw that she had been in an area called the ‘Duck Valley Indian Reservation’ which is in the middle of the Nevada-Idaho-Oregon border.

The area had a high rate of violent crimes, and being a solo female traveler, Austen was immediately in danger. Her car was located by the authorities near the reservation but she was nowhere to be found. What followed was a frantic search for the young woman, who was feared dead.

As the investigation continues, 48 Hours Mystery delves deeper into the dangers of the area. Furthermore, the laws of the Nevada-Idaho-Oregon borderlines are explored, with the law enforcement authorities not sure whether to take charges in their respective states or the reservation land governed by the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe.

The episode features interviews with Austen’s family, friends, and law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to solve her case. The show also sheds light on the Navajo Nation's missing persons crisis, which law enforcement officials say is not a priority due to the lack of resources and jurisdiction issues.

48 Hours Mystery does an excellent job of painting the picture of what it is like for the family of a missing person, the helplessness and hopelessness of the situation, and the frustration in dealing with law enforcement to get answers. The episode highlights the grit and determination of those who are determined to get to the bottom of the case and offer closure to those affected.

The episode is a thorough exploration of what is now becoming a recurring case of people disappearing in the Navajo area and their fate being unknown. As the criminal investigations continue and authorities frantically search for the missing person, 48 Hours Mystery highlights the gravity of the situation with its usual flair and cinematic presentation, giving viewers insight into what it is like to search for a missing person.