What is the episode about?
Devil in the Desert: Cat and Mouse is the first episode in a documentary series from ABC News that sheds light on the shocking case of a href='/krimidex/hossein-nayeri'>Hossein Nayeri /a>. The case began in October 2012 when police in California found a woman named Mary wandering in the Mojave Desert with her hands bound. She led authorities to a crime scene where her roommate, Michael, had been subjected to extreme torture. Host Matt Gutman, a correspondent for ABC News, guides listeners through the first hours of the investigation, where it quickly becomes clear that this is not a random attack, but a meticulously planned kidnapping with financial motives.
The case behind the episode
The case of a href='/krimidex/hossein-nayeri'>Hossein Nayeri /a> is a tale of greed and extreme violence within the California medical marijuana industry. The perpetrators, led by Nayeri, mistakenly believed that the victim Michael had buried a large sum of money in the desert. During the kidnapping, the victims were subjected to beatings, taser shocks, and direct torture with a cutting torch. After the brutal attack, Hossein Nayeri fled to Iran, which initiated a complex international manhunt. The episode features exclusive footage from police archives and reveals how authorities used Nayeri's ex-wife as an informant in a sophisticated undercover operation to lure him out of hiding. The case is also known for Nayeri's spectacular escape from a maximum-security prison in Orange County while awaiting trial, which is also addressed in the series' overarching narrative.
About the podcast
The podcast a href='/profil/devil-in-the-desert'>Devil in the Desert /a> is produced by ABC Audio and 20/20. The series serves as an extension of the documentary series 'Wicked Game: The Devil in the Desert,' which previously topped the charts on the streaming service Hulu. Over six episodes, Matt Gutman delves into the psychological aspects of Nayeri's personality — a man described as both charismatic and extremely dangerous. The production stands out for its use of authentic audio clips, including the secret recordings of calls between Nayeri and his ex-wife, which were crucial to solving the case.