The Hand in the Window Podcast: ABC & 20/20 Revisit Ohio Kidnapping & Serial Killer Case
ABC Audio and ABC News’ 20/20 have united to launch a gripping new investigative podcast titled “The Hand in the Window.” Hosted by esteemed journalist and veteran correspondent John Quiñones, this limited series reopens the disturbing 2016 kidnapping and serial murder case that left a quiet Ohio community forever changed.
Arriving on podcast platforms Tuesday, 4 November 2025, the series promises more than retelling a harrowing police call — it promises access to rare recordings, emotional survivor accounts, and the chilling interrogation that unmasked a serial killer hiding in plain sight.
A small Midwestern town known for its peaceful countryside and tight-knit community found itself at the center of one of the most shocking criminal cases in recent history. When a terrified woman secretly dialed 911 from inside a locked room, whispering for help, she had no way of knowing her courageous call would unravel the crimes of a serial predator.
That woman — abducted, restrained, and fearing for her life — provided law enforcement with the only clue they needed to reach a hidden house of horrors.
Within hours, authorities rescued her and arrested Shawn Grate, a man later revealed to be responsible for five murders across Ohio and suspected of other violent crimes.
The Podcast: An Unfiltered Look Into Terror & Truth
“The Hand in the Window” goes far beyond headlines or archived news clips. The series weaves together:
Extended, unedited audio from the haunting 911 call
Interviews with investigators and first responders
Survivor voices and community reactions
Context on methodologies, crime patterns, and psychological analysis
At its core, this series seeks to answer critical questions:
How did Grate evade detection for so long?
How did a survivor’s bravery dismantle his reign of terror?
What happens inside an interrogation room when a serial killer begins to confess?
How did one rural community cope with the aftermath?
Quiñones’ empathetic yet investigative tone guides listeners through raw emotion, procedural detail, and the psychological storm surrounding the case.
Meet the Voice Behind the Story: John Quiñones
John Quiñones has spent decades delivering complex stories with compassion, accuracy, and depth. Known globally for ABC’s What Would You Do?, Quiñones brings:
Award-winning investigative reporting credentials
A long history of covering human rights and justice issues
Deep storytelling expertise
A unique ability to humanize victims and survivors
His presence adds gravitas, bringing listeners into the room at every crucial moment.
The Detective Who Broke the Case
Meet Kim Mager: The Woman Who Faced a Killer For 33 Hours
Veteran sex-crimes detective Kim Mager played a pivotal role in unearthing the truth. Her 33-hour interrogation with Shawn Grate became the turning point — transforming a rescue mission into a sprawling homicide investigation.
Listeners will hear Mager:
Build a psychological bridge between officer and offender
Uncover the timeline of murders
Probe Grate’s motives and methods
Piece together victims’ stories
Control emotional stakes in real time
Her interrogation — methodical, firm, yet controlled — will be studied in law-enforcement academies for decades.
Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer
Who Was Shawn Grate?
To the outside world, Grate blended into society. But beneath the surface existed a man driven by control, opportunism, and disturbing fantasies.
Psychological profiles discussed in the podcast explore:
Manipulation strategies
Victim selection
Escalation in violence
Lack of remorse
Predatory patterns in everyday life
Experts and narrators help listeners understand how someone like Grate moves unnoticed — and why early warning signs can be so easily missed.
The Victims Who Deserve Their Names Heard
While this series examines Grate’s crimes, its focus remains firmly on the victims and survivors. Their stories — once overshadowed by sensational headlines — regain dignity and recognition.
This podcast pays tribute to:
The brave survivor whose 911 call saved lives
The women whose lives were taken
Families forever changed
Communities struggling to heal
By giving voice to their experiences, the series underscores that true-crime storytelling must always center humanity, not horror.
Exclusive Audio: A Rare Window Into Reality
Listeners will hear:
The original whispered 911 call — tense, emotional, and life-saving
Never-released interrogation footage detailing the killer’s confessions
On-scene officer reports and dispatch sequences
Personal reflections from investigators and community members
True-crime fans who value authenticity and journalistic rigor — not sensationalism — will find this series deeply compelling.
Why This Podcast Matters Now
The Modern True-Crime Landscape
While true-crime content floods digital platforms, “The Hand in the Window” stands apart by:
Prioritizing ethics
Avoiding glamorization
Using verified audio and firsthand accounts
Offering rare insider perspectives
Exploring systemic failures and public-safety lessons
This isn’t just about retelling a crime — it’s about understanding it.
What the Case Teaches Us About Survival and Response
The Ashland kidnapping case reshaped discussions around:
Violence against women
The importance of trusting instinct and seeking help
How victims can survive impossible circumstances
The role of trauma-informed policing
Resource gaps in small-town law enforcement
The psychological resilience required to escape abuse
The series also touches on how society can better protect vulnerable individuals and what support systems are still critically needed.
A Community Scarred, but Not Broken
Ashland, Ohio, once known for quiet farmland and small-town charm, faced unimaginable headlines. In the podcast, residents share:
Their initial shock
Fear that followed
The emotional aftermath
Long-term healing
How community trust was rebuilt
The result is an intimate portrayal of a town forever marked — yet steadily reclaiming its peace.
Why “The Hand in the Window” Is Poised to Top True-Crime Charts
Key Audience Draws
Established network credibility (ABC + 20/20)
Emotional, cinematic storytelling
Exclusive audio not heard anywhere else
A trusted, respected host
Focus on real justice outcomes
Survivor-centered narrative
🕒 Release Information
🎧 Premiere Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2025 🌐 Available On:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
Google Podcasts
ABC Audio platforms
Anywhere you listen to podcasts
Final Thoughts
“The Hand in the Window” is not just another crime podcast — it is a courageous retelling of resilience, law-enforcement dedication, and the power of one phone call to expose a hidden predator and deliver justice.
As true crime continues to evolve, the emphasis must shift from morbid curiosity to respectful, responsible storytelling.
