Hunting the Bogeyman Podcast: Inside North California’s Serial Stalker Investigation
True-crime fans have a new obsession, and this one digs into one of the most chilling unsolved crime sagas in modern United States history. Hunting the Bogeyman, a groundbreaking investigative podcast, exposes the decades-long pursuit of a mysterious serial stalker and violent offender who haunted women across Northern California — lurking in shadows, entering homes, and disappearing without a trace.
More than just another crime series, this podcast is a raw, immersive journey into survivor bravery, investigative persistence, and the evolution of modern forensic science. It tells a story of terror, trauma, relentless hope — and ultimate truth.
“This is a story about fear — but even more about courage,” host Peter McDonnell explains in the debut episode.
A Case That Refused to Die: The Survivor Who Sparked a Revolution
Introducing Nicole Earnest-Payte: A Woman Who Turned Trauma Into Justice
At just 21 years old, Nicole Earnest-Payte believed she was safe inside her own home — until a masked intruder shattered that illusion forever. Attacked in the place where she felt most secure, Nicole survived an unimaginable ordeal. But as the days turned into months and months turned into years, her case stalled.
Investigators had no solid leads. No DNA match. No suspect profile that made sense. No closure.
But Nicole refused to fade into statistics. She pushed, questioned, and kept her story alive.
Her persistence created a ripple effect so powerful that, years later, it would catch the attention of the legendary Paul Holes, the retired cold-case investigator credited with helping unmask the Golden State Killer.
The Birth of a Breakthrough: When a Cold Case Found Its Champion
Paul Holes Steps In — And The Pieces Begin to Fall Into Place
Holes, widely regarded as one of America’s most relentless investigative minds, recognized a disturbing pattern in Nicole’s account — a pattern eerily familiar to a chain of unsolved assaults across multiple cities in Northern California.
Same method of entry
Same style of stalking
Same psychological manipulation
Same chilling silence after the attack
He realized Nicole’s terrifying experience was not unique. It was one piece of a monstrous puzzle.
And the predator? He had been roaming free for years.
Inside the Podcast: A Deep Dive Into Fear, Persistence, and Unmasking Evil
What Makes “Hunting the Bogeyman” Different?
This isn’t just a retelling of crimes — it’s a forensic excavation. Host and journalist Peter McDonnell leads listeners through a gripping, gritty, and emotional investigation built from:
✅ Exclusive survivor interviews you won’t hear anywhere else ✅ Previously unreleased investigative files ✅ Conversations with law-enforcement veterans ✅ Real-time audio from the cold-case pursuit ✅ Forensic genealogy breakthroughs that rewrote criminal justice history
The storytelling blends personal courage with procedural mastery — offering listeners an unprecedented look into the mental and procedural labyrinth of solving long-dormant serial crimes.
The Anatomy of a Modern Monster: Who Was the “Bogeyman”?
A Predator Who Lived in the Margins — And In Plain Sight
The Bogeyman wasn’t a myth. He was a real, breathing threat who stalked for years:
Suburban neighborhoods
College towns
Quiet residential streets
Homes where doors were locked — but not enough
He watched. He waited. He selected.
And then — he struck. Silent entry. Sudden violence. Then disappearance.
No obvious motive. No glaring signature. Just fear, trauma, and confusion left behind.
What made him particularly terrifying? He was adaptable, patient, and always three steps ahead of police.
The Forensic Revolution: How Genealogy Solved the Impossible
When DNA Meets Digital Family Trees — Justice Awakens
When traditional detective work failed, technology stepped in. The same investigative strategy that caught the Golden State Killer became the key to cracking the Bogeyman case:
After years in the shadows, the truth finally surfaced.
“We didn’t just get lucky — we got smarter,” Holes shares in the series.
Forensic genealogy is changing the world of criminal justice, and this podcast places listeners at the heart of that revolution.
Nicole’s Victory — And What It Means
When Courage Outlasts Fear, Justice Wins
Nicole’s fight isn’t just personal — it’s symbolic. She represents:
Survivors who refuse to be silenced
A generation demanding justice reform
Women who reclaimed control after trauma
Families who never stopped searching
Her determination forced an entire justice system to evolve.
And now, through this podcast, her story is empowering millions.
Meet the Team Behind the Mic
A Powerhouse Collaboration in True Crime Media
Role
Name
Credentials
Host & Producer
Peter McDonnell
Award-winning investigative journalist
Lead Consultant
Paul Holes
Golden State Killer case legend
Executive Producer
Catherine Saint Louis
Sony Music Entertainment
Production Company
Perfect Cadence
True-crime storytelling specialists
Distribution
Sony Music Entertainment
Global reach
Together, they’ve created one of the most meticulously researched audio investigations in recent true-crime history.
Where to Listen
You can stream Hunting the Bogeyman starting today on:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher
All major podcast platforms
Subscribers of The Binge get immediate access to the full season.
Why This Podcast Will Dominate 2025’s True-Crime Charts
Key Reasons It’s Already Trending
Authentic survivor narrative
High-profile law-enforcement involvement
Emotional resonance + investigative rigor
Modern forensic breakthroughs
Cinematic sound design & storytelling
Release timing at peak true-crime audience growth
This isn’t just another scary story — it’s a cultural event.
The Bigger Picture: Why Serial Crimes Still Haunt America
Unanswered Questions the Podcast Explores
Why do serial predators evade capture for so long?
What role does survivor advocacy play in reopening cases?
How many similar offenders are still unidentified?
Is technology enough to outpace evolving criminals?
What Audiences Are Saying So Far
“A true-crime masterpiece.” “Raw, emotional, and brilliantly reported.” “Nicole is the hero we all needed.” “Paul Holes proves again why he’s a legend.”
Social media buzz has already placed this series at the top of “must-listen” lists.
Final Word: Courage Changes Everything
“Hunting the Bogeyman” is more than a crime documentary. It’s a reckoning. A tribute. And a reminder that the dark never wins when even one survivor speaks.
