Novela 11: In The Matrix-The Death of Erin Valenti w/ The Final Trace

In 2019, 33-year-old tech startup founder Erin Valenti, was on a work trip in Silicon Valley. At the end of her trip, she called her parents, telling them she couldn't find her rental car, but they were concerned by the strange statements she was making.

"It's all a game, it's a thought experiment, we're in the Matrix."

A week later, her body was found in her rented car on the side of the road in San Jose, but there were no clear signs of physical harm, and her family was adamant she didn't struggle with any mental health problems or substance use disorders. The circumstances of her death have remained a mystery ever since.

Thank you to The Final Trace for taking over after a death in my family.

Check out the podcast here!
The Final Trace is a true crime podcast unraveling the most chilling disappearances, cold cases, and solved mysteries that still leave us asking questions. Hosted by two friends with a passion for true crime, each episode explores the final known moments, forgotten clues, and the theories that keep us up at night.
From strange sightings to shocking conclusions, we follow the clues wherever they lead—because sometimes the scariest part isn’t the mystery… it’s the truth.



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Stay safe, stay curious, and stay vigilant.