Aubrey Sacco: Missing American in Nepal - a Case Profile

Aubrey Sacco, 23, went hiking in Nepal in April. Her last contact with family was on April 20, but additional interactions occurred over the next two days, according to CNN. Now Aubrey is 'off the radar' and the family, nor authorities in Nepal, can find her.

Profiles and Victimology

You can't have a good profile without a thorough victimology. And you can't have a thorough victimology without the aid of those who knew the victim the best. That being said, you can still conduct a profile, but it is limited in scope and potential accuracy.

And when it is derived from news reports washed and regurgitated, it is even less accurate, normally. But this behavioral forensics graduate will attempt the impossible anyway and profile Aubrey Sacco's case in the hopes it helps her family in some small way.

Personality and Persona of Aubrey

Aubrey's father, Paul Sacco shared a bit about his daughter and the family recently and it was reported in a CNN news report on the case. Paul says the family hails from Greeley, Colorado, and that Aubrey is, "bubbly and funny. Anybody who saw her is going to remember her."

Her mother Connie says Aubrey is not, "...an irresponsible traveler. She embraces the culture wherever she travels. She's the one you'll usually find with the villagers as opposed to high end-end places."

Aubrey's mom also said, "She wanted to learn about places, where she could volunteer,' adding, 'Her motto is 'glitter the world,' and she just glitters with her love and energy."

High-Risk Victim

Without regard to personal opinion, Aubrey Sacco falls into the high-risk category for victimization. First, she was a 23-year-old female traveling solo in a foreign country experiencing social unrest during her visit.

Second, Aubrey Sacco was without obvious traveling companions or family living in the area where she supposedly disappeared and, any potential attacker would be knowledgeable of that if Aubrey was watched prior to her disappearance. This made her an easier target.

Aubrey was in a national park that is known for rugged terrain and isolation, as well as its draw to international travelers. It wasn't Aubrey's normal stomping ground, if you will. And it was a prime location for someone to practice psychopathic behaviors and not alarm anyone for miles.

Embracing Nepal Culture And Hanging With the Locals

The fact that Aubrey is known for her bubbly and forthcoming behavior, seeking to mingle with the locals, actually works against her in any battle with a psychopath. Her openness makes her more likely to have shared her daily plans with anyone who asked, and accept the hospitality of those who might pose a threat to her safety.

This is neither a judgment of Aubrey or an attack on her personality. But it does bear on the likelihood that Aubrey, through her gregarious nature, likely was lured into a situation that she thought could lead to volunteer work or helping others.

Time Line of Aubrey's Travels: The Beginning

Paul Sacco said his daughter was on a five-month solo trek to several countries: Sri Lanka, India and lastly, Nepal. The Nepal portion of the trek seems to have been a detour of plans for Aubrey.

The 5-foot female college graduate from the University of Colorado felt some need to inform her family that she was now in Nepal and about to solo hike Langtang National Park. This call to her family was made on April 20, with Aubrey telling them to expect a follow-up email on April 29, when she expected to be back at the room she had rented for the long haul--and where she left her computer and luggage before heading for her long hike.

Significance of April 20 Call

If Aubrey routinely phoned her parents with updates as she embarked on each hiking endeavor, that would make her call less significant. If, however, this was a departure for her, then Aubrey already feared someone in her midst and wanted to alert her family to 'check up on her' if she didn't send that email later.

This is crucial in knowing how far back to focus the investigative direction. If that call wasn't common, the family and team of investigators will do well to focus on where Aubrey was and what occurred prior to that call. She likely picked up someone at that stage and it ended merely two days later.

Red Herrings or Red Alerts

After Aubrey Sacco's April 20 call we have two time line events that follow: First, Aubrey meets a guide the next night, on April 21, once she is actually in the National Park. The two are both staying at the same hotel for the night, located within the park grounds, according to the guide. The guide said they discussed volunteer opportunities for after Aubrey's hike was complete.

Next, the same guide later said that he witnessed Aubrey back on the hike the following day, April 22. Some type of record existed of Aubrey having tea on further down the trail, at another hotel, later that same day. This is the last known location and date Aubrey is believed to have been seen. After this location citing Aubrey 'went off the radar.'

Investigative Direction Caution

Aubrey is independent, competent and a seasoned traveler. But Aubrey has one known weakness: a desire to volunteer. To that end, Aubrey planned to reconnect with the travel guide she met merely one day prior to her disappearance, a travel guide that she did not know and is now the only source of information about her last known conversations and activities. And a person her family is, undoubtedly, keeping informed about what they find out in the case as well.

There is an old saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." If Aubrey Sacco met with foul play on April 22 (or April 21st), it is not in the best interest of her family to share any new data with anyone but law enforcement. Otherwise, they may unwittingly be aiding the one who victimized her.

Verifying Disclosures, Not Just Taking Them as Fact

Aubrey's 'tea taking' on April 22nd needs to be verified. It should be by more than just a receipt by a hotel that someone charged a tea to Aubrey's credit or debit card. Someone needs to have seen the missing American and ID a photo of her, placing her at that scene.

This will further aid in determining if that was, indeed, Aubrey Socco's last known position. Or if April 21st, at the hotel in the park, was the last place she was seen, and someone is trying to mislead any potential investigation by creating a 'citing' a day later, elsewhere.

Getting Close to the Family, the Source of Info

Hiking is an endeavor often ventured alone. Predatory stalking for victims is the same. Not everyone met on a hiking trail is trustworthy or honest. Further investigation needs to be made to the character of any witnesses that have come forward in the course of the investigation surrounding Aubrey.

Some offenders actually try to ingratiate themselves into the case of the victim they victimized, claiming knowledge of some sort and attempting to glean information as it is learned, as well. Others who share information may be attempting to throw suspicion away from a loved one.

Recommended Investigative Direction

Aubrey didn't fall down and just get hurt or her body would have been found during the searches that have occurred following her absence. Her father, Paul said three-fourths of the hiked area have been covered in the three weeks he and one son have been in Nepal seeking Aubrey.

That only leaves foul play, as Aubrey had no reason to run away from family or home--she already was away. Since foul play is the obvious option to her disappearance, that leaves her last known contacts and locations as significant investigative directions.

Law enforcement should focus on the last people to actually see and talk to her and not ease up until someone talks. Aubrey, unfortunately, met up with the wrong person...before she had tea, is my guess. And I'll bet the talk was about a good 'volunteer' opportunity. I'm praying for the family.

Update on Aubrey Saccoas of July 2, 2010: Video of Search

Aubrey Sacco remains a missing American in Nepal. Her family continues to hope for her safe return and have expressed their confidence in her eventual return home. Anyone having knowledge about Aubrey Sacco during her trek in Nepal is asked to contact this writer for forwarding to Aubrey's family.

Anyone going to Nepal over the summer is urged to remain vigilant about your own safety and to please remember Aubrey if you have the opportunity to visit Langtang and search there for her. Courtesy of Ingo Schnabel, the director of the Himalayan Rescue Dog Squad in Nepal, readers can view a video of Aubrey's father and brother's search during their recent attempt to find their loved one. Remember, Aubrey Sacco is still a missing American in Nepal.

Sources:
Personal experience and education
CNN
Ingo Schnabel, Director of the Himalayan Rescue Dog Squad in Nepal