Hunting the Bogeyman, a new true crime podcast uncovering the decades-long hunt for a serial predator who stalked and assaulted women across Northern California.
Hosted and produced by journalist Peter McDonnell, the series follows survivor Nicole Earnest-Payte’s extraordinary fight for justice after being attacked in her own home at 21.
When her case went cold, celebrated investigator Paul Holes, known for his work on the Golden State Killer case, began connecting her assault to a disturbing pattern of similar crimes across multiple cities.
Drawing on first-hand interviews and previously unreleased details, Hunting the Bogeyman gives unprecedented access to one of the toughest and most complex investigations in US criminal history.
The series charts the obstacles faced by investigators as they hit repeated dead ends, until a groundbreaking use of forensic genealogy finally led to the predator’s unmasking.
“Nicole’s story captivated me the second she told me about it,” said McDonnell. “She faced shocking obstacles, but she never gave up. It’s an incredible investigative story, but ultimately it’s about Nicole’s courage and determination to seek justice.”
Produced by Perfect Cadence in association with Sony Music Entertainment, the series is executive produced by Catherine Saint Louis for Sony.
The first episode is available now on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher, with subscribers to The Binge able to stream the full series immediately.
