Devil in the Desert
15 Favorites
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.
Location:
United States
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Episodes
Bonus: The Third Man
8/29/2025
This bonus episode of Devil in the Desert will explore the perspective of the elusive third man involved in the crime of violent kidnapping and torture: Ryan Kevorkian. Matt Gutman and "Start Here" host Brad Mielke tell the story of the one person willing to share a first-hand account from the night of the crime, using never-before-heard police interview tape of Kevorkian himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:22:11
Introducing "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska"
7/30/2025
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 you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:00:32:00
Catching Nayeri
7/22/2025
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
Duration:00:56:12
Getaway
7/15/2025
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
Duration:00:43:13
The Witness
7/8/2025
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
Duration:00:40:50
Control
7/1/2025
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
Duration:00:43:11
A Neon Sign For Crime
6/24/2025
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
Duration:00:31:46
Cat and Mouse
6/17/2025
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
Duration:00:42:30
Introducing "Devil in the Desert"
6/2/2025
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
Duration:00:01:31