Abducted, Shot, and Left for Dead — A Survivor’s Story

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Before “true crime” became a genre… this was real life.

On January 8, 2000, Dan Zapp and a friend were abducted along the Susquehanna River, assaulted, shot, and left for dead.

They survived.

In this episode of Unscripted Turbulence, Dan shares what happened that day — and what it took to live after it. Because survival doesn’t end in the moment… it unfolds in the days, months, and years that follow.

We talk about the aftermath, what it’s like to have your story told by the media, and what that experience reveals about how we cover violent crime. And we sit in a question that isn’t easy to answer — forgiveness.

Dan and I knew each other long before this, back in high school, which makes this conversation even more personal.

This episode contains graphic content.

It’s heavy. It’s honest. And it offers a rare window into survival, resilience, and what it means to keep going after the unthinkable.

This episode is sponsored by Dude Wow Cocktails — bold flavor, real ingredients, and yes… it’s really good.
Get 10% off with code TURBULENCE26. Thanks for supporting the show.

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