Devil in the Desert

0.0 (0)
True Crime
Weekly series

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. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

Trailer

Introducing "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. "Devil in the Desert" is a six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio. Follow the show for weekly episodes on Tuesdays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2001, Leslie Preer was found brutally murdered, her body left in the shower of her home in the wealthy suburbs of Washington, D.C. Investigators initially set their sights on Leslie’s husband as the prime suspect — until bombshell DNA evidence revealed the presence of an "unknown male" at the scene. With extensive access to the original police tapes and interviews with the cold case detectives who worked to solve the crime, Blood and Water tells the story of a decades-long wait for justice for Leslie’s daughter and the cutting-edge investigative techniques that finally caught the killer. A six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, hosted by Stephanie Ramos. New episodes Tuesdays. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

0.0 (0)

True Crime
On a December night in a small town on the Jersey shore, the discovery of an abandoned car on a bridge touches off a search for the missing driver. 19-year-old Sarah Stern, an aspiring artist, has seemingly vanished. Friends tell authorities she might have jumped, or fled to Canada. But troubling statements, omissions and the discovery of a partially-burned cache of money doesn’t sit right with investigators. As they begin to suspect foul-play, an up-and-coming filmmaker’s daring undercover sting operation cracks the case wide open. A six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, hosted by Juju Chang. New episodes Tuesdays. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

0.0 (0)

True Crime
Luigi Mangione will soon be in a Manhattan courtroom, standing trial for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot dead on a New York City sidewalk in December 2024. In this five-part series, ABC News Legal Analyst Brian Buckmire examines a case that has captivated the country – and explores how Brian Thompson’s murder affected the conversation about healthcare in America. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

0.0 (0)

True Crime
In the remote town of Ketchikan, Alaska, a beloved doctor is found dead in his home. At first, investigators think he died from a heart attack or by suicide. But when police take a closer look at the scene, clues point to something more ominous: Was Dr. Eric Garcia murdered? In "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska," Ketchikan police uncover a secret romance, the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in property, and a suspicious character with ties to the porn industry. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

0.0 (0)

True Crime
Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high profile stories. Now listen throughout the week with the official 20/20 After Show, the True Crime Vault, and our spotlight of true crime originals. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

0.0 (0)

True Crime
Nearly 15 years ago, a young nursing student named Holly Bobo disappeared from her home in rural Tennessee. A few years later, her remains are found — not far from where she went missing. This becomes one of the biggest cases in Tennessee history, culminating in a bizarre legal battle after a key witness admits to lying on the stand. Even after suspects go to prison for her death, the question remains for some: What happened to Holly Bobo? Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit ⁠apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.

0.0 (0)

True Crime

View Subscription FAQs

Matt Gutman

Host

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. Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truecrime to subscribe now.