The disappearance of Alice Ku, a Mountain View resident, is once again drawing national attention as a new episode of NBC’s Dateline revisits the mysterious case that has spanned several years and crossed international borders.
Ku, who was 36 at the time, went missing in 2019 during a trip to Taiwan with her husband, Harald Herchen, a Canadian engineer.
What began as a vacation quickly turned into a baffling case that left both authorities and family members searching for answers.
Despite extensive efforts, Ku was never found, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear.
According to court findings in Santa Clara County, a judge ruled in 2023 that Ku likely died in Taroko National Park, a remote and rugged area known for its steep cliffs and dense terrain.
The ruling acknowledged the difficulty of determining exactly what happened, especially since her body has never been recovered. The absence of physical evidence has made the case particularly challenging for investigators.
Ku’s parents, who reside in Taiwan, have long suspected that her husband played a role in her disappearance.
In 2021, they filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen, alleging that he not only caused her death but also concealed the truth from both authorities and family members.
Their persistence eventually led to a significant legal outcome. In July 2025, a jury awarded the family 23.6 million dollars in damages, a decision that symbolized accountability, even if it could not provide closure.
Legal experts have noted that pursuing criminal charges in this case has been complicated. Because Herchen is not a United States citizen, certain federal laws that apply to crimes committed abroad do not extend to him.
This limitation made it unlikely for prosecutors in either the United States or Taiwan to bring direct murder charges related to Ku’s disappearance.
However, the civil case opened another legal avenue. During depositions connected to the lawsuit, investigators identified inconsistencies in Herchen’s statements.
These discrepancies led prosecutors in Santa Clara County to file perjury charges against him. He was arrested in September at his home in Los Altos.
If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison. His attorney has stated that he denies the allegations and intends to plead not guilty.
The Dateline episode, titled The Gorge, brings renewed focus to the case, presenting interviews, investigative insights, and a closer look at the timeline of events.
Reported by correspondent Josh Mankiewicz and presented by Lester Holt, the episode aims to explore the unanswered questions that have lingered since Ku’s disappearance.
For Ku’s family, the national spotlight offers another opportunity to keep her story alive. While legal victories have provided some measure of acknowledgment, the lack of definitive answers continues to weigh heavily.
The case remains a haunting example of how unresolved disappearances can leave lasting emotional and legal complexities.
As viewers tune in, the story of Alice Ku serves as both a true crime mystery and a reminder of the enduring search for truth and justice.
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