1818132861
Devil in the Desert

Advertise on podcast: Devil in the Desert

Rating
★★★★☆
4.3
from
1833 reviews
This podcast has
9 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
ABC News
Explicit
No
Date created
2025/06/02
Latest episode
2026/08/11
Average duration
32 min.
Release period
55 days

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.

Unlock Devil in the Desert podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Devil in the Desert podcast


Introducing 'What Happened to the McStays?'
2026/08/11
Today, we're bringing you a new episode of our latest series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, 'What Happened to the McStays?' In episode one, the McStay family home is found frozen in time — and spurs a yearslong mystery. To keep listening, follow 'What Happened to the McStays?' for free on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ to get access to new episodes early and ad-free, plus unlock exclusive bonus content from 20/20 and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit ⁠⁠apple.co/2020truecrime⁠⁠ to subscribe now. Terms apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bonus: The Third Man
2025/08/29
This bonus episode of "Devil in the Desert" explores 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
Catching Nayeri
2025/07/22
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
Getaway
2025/07/15
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
The Witness
2025/07/08
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
Control
2025/07/01
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
A Neon Sign For Crime
2025/06/24
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
Cat and Mouse
2025/06/17
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
Introducing "Devil in the Desert"
2025/06/02
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

Podcast reviews

Read Devil in the Desert podcast reviews


4.3 out of 5
1833 reviews
★★☆☆☆
Marie Macabre 2026/09/07
Confused
Two or three years ago I used to listen to this podcast and it was complimentary meaning it came with the music service you already paid for. And it w...
★★★☆☆
Durst98 2026/05/26
Good stories but…
Please get a new narrator who doesn’t dramatically pause every sentence, and has a bit more normal inflection. Nice voice, just needs to be more natu...
★★★★★
Eddieonfleek121 2026/01/30
Crazy
Amazing series!! How crazy because I live in Santa Ana, and I remember exactly when they escaped!
★★☆☆☆
FoxBloxMinecraft 2025/12/20
SO EMOTIONLESS
The story’s are fine but the person who reads them sounds so monotone and emotionless
★★★★★
Kara Menderes 2025/10/05
Shocking!
Wooow!!
★★★★★
USA Mknitter 2025/09/27
Slippery Snakes
Hossein was a slippery snake! Fascinating podcast with lots of twists and turns!
★★★★★
Professor Batty 2025/09/19
It’s absolutely worth a listen
Please do not give weight to any of the weirdly similar and negative reviews. Especially one’s victim blaming Courtney; it’s very clear none of those ...
★☆☆☆☆
AkShlee 2025/09/18
Boring
Don’t waste your time
★☆☆☆☆
Engman19 2025/09/18
Below average
A good story that has been poorly told.
★★☆☆☆
LKMWAZ 2025/09/03
Ok
Way too long with not enough new info. And once you called the homeless person ‘un-housed’ you lost me.
check all reviews on apple podcasts

Podcast sponsorship advertising

Start advertising on Devil in the Desert relevant audience podcasts


What do you want to promote?