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. 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. Terms apply.

Episodes

Introducing "Devil in the Desert"

June 2, 2025 • 1 min

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Cat and Mouse

June 17, 2025 • 37 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 • 26 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 • 38 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 • 35 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 • 38 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 • 51 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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Bonus: The Third Man

August 29, 2025 • 22 mins

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 podcastchoice...

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Introducing 'What Happened to the McStays?'

August 11, 2026 • 27 mins

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 podcast...

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