In January of 1986, in the isolated wilderness of California's Mojave Desert, a husband and wife

disappeared. Barry and Louise Berman were from two different worlds. 36-year-old Barry, an heir to the

Kalua liquor fortune, grew up wanting for nothing. Louise, his 52-year-old wife, had a very

different background. Raised in a difficult and dysfunctional household, Louise hopped onto the

counterculture movement of the 1960s, embracing the psychedelic and carefree hippie lifestyle.

Though an unconventional couple, Barry and Louise were each other's

soulmates. And together, the pair embarked on many happy adventures. But after experiencing a

rough patch in their marriage, the couple decided to take off for an excursion to Saline Valley.

Surrounded by bronze sand dunes and lakes of still water that mirror the blue California skies,

Barry and Louise escaped into the hot Southern California wilderness.

On January 5, 1986, the couple drove off down a dirt road heading miles away from their

oasis campsite, never to be seen again.

But nearly three years later, a flash flood washed away layers of earth, bringing to the surface what remained of Barry and Louise Berman.

I'm Emily Campano, and this is the Fox True Crime podcast.

Music I'm Emily Campanio, and this is the Fox True Crime podcast. Upon learning of Barry's disappearance,

Jules Berman poured his life and wealth into finding his son and daughter-in-law,

prompting one of the most elaborate searches in Inyo County history. But for almost three years,

no answers came to light. Then on November 12, 1988, a man discovered a human skull while out on a desert hike.

Authorities were alerted and soon discovered the shallow grave of Barry and Louise Berman.

Although no clear signs of violence were apparent, police still believed that the couple have been victims of foul play. The dark turn of the investigation led authorities to a peculiar

group of people that Barry and Louise had met during their time at the Springs, including

one such man, known as Mike the Marine.

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