# Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter is an American two-part true crime documentary series that premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Directed by Ryan White and produced by Jessica Hargrave, Charlize Theron, and Matt Maher, the series delves into the harrowing journey of Cathy Terkanian as she seeks answers about her birth daughter, Aundria Bowman, who disappeared in 1989.

## Premise

A determined mother embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the truth behind the 1989 disappearance of the daughter Aundria Bowman who was once placed for adoption.
Uncovering Dark Secrets
Cathy's investigation, with the assistance of detective Carl Koppelman, uncovered details about Aundria's life with the Bowmans. Before her disappearance, Aundria had accused her adoptive father, Dennis Bowman, of sexual abuse. However, the case remained unsolved for many years. Through Cathy’s efforts, information about Dennis Bowman's history, including previous criminal activities, came to light.
A Chilling Conclusion
In 2019, Dennis Bowman was arrested in connection with an unrelated cold case. During the investigation, he admitted to killing Aundria shortly after her disappearance in 1989 and burying her remains in the backyard of their home. His confession provided authorities with information that resolved the case after more than three decades.

## Appearing in documentary

* Richard Baxter
* Ava Brandt
* Chase Cargill
* Samantha Desman
* Bryan Fuller
* Grace Guadagnino
* Chris Haverdink
* Bonnie Hellman
* Les Mahoney
* Moxie Owens
* Alessandro Mannone
* Alaska Renee
* Richard Page

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Original release date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "Part One" | Ryan White | September 12, 2024 (2024-9-12) | N/A |
| In 1974, at the age of 16, Cathy Terkanian gave birth to Alexis Badger. Due to familial pressures, she placed Alexis up for adoption when the child was about 10 months old. Alexis was adopted by Dennis and Brenda Bowman and was renamed Aundria Bowman. In 2010, Cathy a retired nurse discovers that her birth daughter, Aundria Bowman, who she once placed on adoption and now has been missing for years. Her pursuit of the truth uncovers a shocking suspect. |||||
| 2 | "Part Two" | Ryan White | September 12, 2024 (2024-9-12) | N/A |
| Following an unexpected arrest in a decades-old cold case, Cathy moves closer to discovering the truth about her daughter's fate. |||||

## Production

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter was directed by Ryan White, known for his work on Pamela, a Love Story and The Keepers. The film was produced by White, Jessica Hargrave, Charlize Theron, and Matt Maher.
The documentary’s visual narrative was shaped by cinematographers John Benam, Arlene Nelson, and Dominique Hessert-Owens. Post-production, including color grading and finishing, was handled by Panavision, with Pat Fitzgerald serving as the supervising colorist. The production involved thorough research and interviews to accurately depict Cathy Terkanian’s efforts to uncover the truth about her daughter, Aundria Bowman.

## Release

On August 15, 2024, a trailer was released for the series, featuring segments from the documentary. Into the Fire: The Lost Daughters was released on Netflix on September 12, 2024.

## Reception

Critical Reception
The documentary has been praised for its meticulous storytelling and emotional depth. Lucy Mangan of The Guardian described it as "a staggering, mesmerising true-crime tale," emphasizing the systemic failures in protecting vulnerable individuals and the profound impact of a mother's love. She ultimately awarded the film a 4 out of 5 rating. Decider praised the series for its detailed narrative, noting that it "details the nearly-15-year-long quest by Cathy Terkanian to find out what happened to her birth daughter."