Dateline NBC to Air True Crime Story of Missing Mountain View Woman

The disappearance of Alice Ku in Taiwan seven years ago led to a civil lawsuit and perjury charges against her husband.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:21pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, twisted piece of metal from a hiking backpack, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty, investigative nature of the missing person case.The mysterious disappearance of a California woman in Taiwan's rugged wilderness sparks an international investigation and a family's quest for answers.Mountain View Today

Nearly seven years ago, a 36-year-old Mountain View resident named Alice Ku went missing in Taiwan while on a trip with her husband, Harald Herchen. Ku's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen in 2021, alleging he was involved in her disappearance and death. Last July, a jury awarded Ku's family $23.6 million. Police later arrested Herchen on perjury charges based on inconsistent testimony he provided in depositions. Dateline NBC is now set to broadcast the story of Ku's disappearance on April 10.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges of investigating crimes that occur abroad, as well as the complexities of the U.S. legal system when it comes to prosecuting non-U.S. citizens for crimes committed against American citizens overseas. The civil lawsuit and perjury charges represent an unusual legal path to holding Herchen accountable.

The details

Alice Ku went missing in Taiwan in 2019 while traveling with her husband, Harald Herchen, a Canadian citizen and engineer. A Santa Clara County judge later ruled that Ku died in Taroko National Park, though her body was never recovered. Ku's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen in 2021, alleging he was involved in her disappearance and death. Last July, a jury awarded Ku's family $23.6 million. Before the civil verdict, it was highly unlikely Herchen would have faced criminal charges, as it is a federal crime for U.S. citizens to kill other U.S. citizens abroad, but the legal statute does not apply to non-U.S. citizens like Herchen. However, the Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney's Office found an opening to file perjury charges against Herchen based on inconsistent testimony he provided in depositions. Police arrested Herchen at his home in Los Altos last September.

  • Alice Ku went missing in Taiwan in 2019.
  • Ku's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen in 2021.
  • Last July, a jury awarded Ku's family $23.6 million in the civil case.
  • Police arrested Herchen on perjury charges in September 2025.
  • Dateline NBC is set to broadcast the story on April 10, 2026.

The players

Alice Ku

A 36-year-old Mountain View resident who went missing in Taiwan in 2019 while on a trip with her husband.

Harald Herchen

Ku's husband, a Canadian citizen and engineer who was the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit and perjury charges related to Ku's disappearance.

Ku's parents

Residents of Taiwan who filed the wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen in 2021.

Todd Davis

The attorney representing Ku's family in the civil lawsuit.

Andrew Watters

An investigator for the Ku family.

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What they’re saying

“It is a symbol of accountability for the defendant, but it doesn't bring their daughter back.”

— Todd Davis, Attorney for Ku family

“Herchen did not commit perjury and intended to enter a not guilty plea.”

— Herchen's attorney

What’s next

If convicted, Herchen could face up to seven years in prison on the perjury charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of investigating crimes that occur abroad and the complexities of the U.S. legal system when it comes to prosecuting non-U.S. citizens for crimes committed against American citizens overseas. The civil lawsuit and perjury charges represent an unusual legal path to holding Herchen accountable.