Devil in the Desert

In 2012, a woman was found with her hands bound in the Mojave Desert. She led authorities to a grisly crime scene where a barbaric attack had taken place. This moment marked the beginning of an international manhunt and a sting operation that turned a once-devoted wife into an informant. Authorities zeroed in on the so-called mastermind behind the attack: Hossein Nayeri, a charming man who had ties to the emerging medical marijuana industry in California. Told with police tapes, secretly recorded informant calls and footage of a prison break, “Devil in the Desert" unravels a crime so brutal that it still haunts investigators today.

Episodes

Introducing "Devil in the Desert"

June 2, 2025 • 1 min

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Cat and Mouse

June 17, 2025 • 42 mins

In October 2012, a man is found brutally tortured in the Mojave Desert — setting off a decade-long chase to bring the perpetrators to justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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A Neon Sign For Crime

June 24, 2025 • 31 mins

A neighbor who sees something odd outside her window leads investigators to their first clue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Control

July 1, 2025 • 43 mins

How did a former high school wrestling star from Fresno become the main suspect in a brutal crime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Witness

July 8, 2025 • 40 mins

What does Hossein Nayeri’s wife know about his involvement in the horrific crime against Mary Barnes and Michael? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Getaway

July 15, 2025 • 43 mins

The wife of Hossein Nayeri is the key to luring him back from Iran. But can investigators trust her? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Catching Nayeri

July 22, 2025 • 56 mins

Hossein Nayeri and two other fugitives are on the run. Would Nayeri ever face justice? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Introducing "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska"

July 30, 2025 • 37 mins

Now that "Devil in the Desert" has come to a close, we're sharing the first episode of our latest series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska." A welfare check leads to the discovery of a body — and some strange clues. To hear the whole six-episode series, follow "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska" for free on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or wherever y...

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