Talking Dateline: The Gorge

In this episode of Talking Dateline, hosts Blaine Alexander and Andrea Canning dive deep into the gripping Dateline NBC episode 'The Gorge,' which chronicles the mysterious disappearance of Alice Ku during a trip to Taiwan's Taroko National Park with her husband, Harold. The story unfolds as Alice's family, particularly her sisters Josephine and Grace, launch a relentless search after she fails to return from a business trip. Despite the lack of a formal criminal investigation due to jurisdictional limitations, the family's determination leads them to uncover a web of digital deception, including a suspicious email that appears to come from Alice but is ultimately deemed inauthentic. The episode highlights the emotional toll on the family, the breathtaking yet haunting landscape of Taroko, and the investigative breakthroughs—like the rental car's flat tire and forensic analysis—that point to Harold's potential involvement. The family eventually secures a $23.6 million civil judgment against Harold, though he remains free due to extradition challenges. The discussion also touches on the personal toll of the case, the family's ongoing search for closure, and the creative outlets like Grace's fictional book 'Where's Alice?' that help them cope. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to vote for Dateline’s Missing in America podcast in the Webby Awards.