Ep 9. Savage Soldier

In Pursuit with John Walsh season 1 episode 9, titled "Savage Soldier," follows the story of a missing soldier named Josh Guillen. Josh had served in the army for five years, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, when he returned home from his last deployment in 2013, he was never the same. His behavior became erratic, and he began to sink into severe depression and anxiety.

In May of 2018, Josh Guillen went missing from his home in Arizona. He had left his apartment without his phone or any identification. Friends and family were worried about his mental state and feared he may have harmed himself. However, weeks turned into months, and there was still no sign of Josh.

The authorities launched an investigation into Josh's disappearance, but there were few leads to follow. That is until a woman named Ashley Meiss came forward with a bizarre story. Ashley claimed that she had been kidnapped and held captive for weeks by a man named Carlos Engel. During her ordeal, she claimed to have seen Josh, who was also being held prisoner.

Ashley's story was hard to believe, but investigators began to take it seriously when they found Carlos Engel's abandoned campsite in the nearby mountains. They discovered evidence that someone had been living there for an extended period, and they also found some of Josh's personal belongings.

Investigators soon determined that Carlos Engel was a dangerous survivalist who had been living off the grid for years. He had a reputation for being a gun enthusiast and had ties to anti-government groups. It quickly became evident that finding Josh Guillen would not be a straightforward task.

John Walsh and his team join the investigation, hoping to bring Josh home safely. They work with local law enforcement, searching the mountains for any sign of Carlos Engel or Josh Guillen. They also speak to friends and family of Josh, trying to piece together his state of mind before his disappearance.

Through their investigation, they begin to unravel Carlos Engel's background. They discover that he had a long history of criminal activity, including charges for weapons possession, arson, and drug offenses. They also learn that he had a network of people who supported his extremist views.

As the search continues, John Walsh and his team must navigate the dangerous terrain of the Arizona mountains while also trying to avoid any potential confrontations with Carlos Engel and his allies. Their investigation takes them on a wild journey filled with twists and turns as they follow any lead that comes their way. Can they find Josh Guillen before it's too late, or will Carlos Engel's extremist views claim another victim?

In "Savage Soldier," John Walsh and his team race against the clock to find a missing soldier who may be in grave danger. The episode is a gripping tale of survivalism, extremism, and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to bring a missing person home.