20/20: Devil in the Desert Bonus – The Third Man

Host: Brad Milke (ABC News)
Guest: Matt Gutman (ABC Chief National Correspondent)
Original Air Date: August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This bonus episode of 20/20 dives into the chilling true crime case featured in the "Devil in the Desert" series—focusing on the oft-overlooked third perpetrator, Ryan Kevorkian. Host Brad Milke invites Matt Gutman to discuss never-before-heard details uncovered through a “proffer” interview with Kevorkian, who participated in the brutal 2012 Orange County kidnapping and torture case. The episode explores Kevorkian’s perspective, his involvement, and the power dynamic between the assailants, offering exclusive insights for true crime listeners and case-followers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Third Man’s Story

• Introduction to the Three Perpetrators (01:45)
  • Jose Nayeri: The criminal mastermind, orchestrator, and public face of the crime.
  • Kyle Handley: Received a sentence nearly identical to Nayeri for hands-on involvement.
  • Ryan Kevorkian ("Mr. Brown"): The less-covered third participant, whose 2017 proffered interview gives this episode its backbone.
    • Notable Quote – Matt Gutman:

    “What’s so interesting about Ryan Kevorkian is that he actually gave a very detailed and long interview with investigators—that proffer.” (02:48)

2. The Proffer Interview: Unpacking the Night of the Crime

• What’s a Proffer? (02:52)

  • A protected conversation where a defendant shares information with investigators, not directly usable against them in court but helpful for building cases or implicating others.

• Kevorkian’s Relationship with Nayeri: (04:38)

  • Longstanding friendship from high school wrestling, estranged after a physical fight, then pulled back in by Nayeri in 2012.
  • Ryan Kevorkian recalls:

    “I met Kevin Hussein in high school on a wrestling team...” (04:38)

The “Lunch Meeting”: The Setup (05:33)

• Nayeri lures Kevorkian back into his orbit, claiming he needs “help” for a “little hit” in Newport Beach.
  • Kevorkian:

    “He says, I need your help. I said, what's going on? He says, I have a little hit I want to do in Newport area.” (06:04)

• Kevorkian agrees to act as muscle for a promised $1,000 plus a cut of supposed stolen money.

Surveillance and Planning (07:08)

• Kevorkian moves into Kyle Handley’s house, assists in extensive surveillance.
• Nayeri boasts about possessing video from within the victim's residence.
  • Kevorkian:

    “He showed me a videotape. He had a videotape showing me what the house looked like… from the rooms, the rooftop, things like that, where we're going to hide…” (07:44)

The Crime Night: Unraveling the Plan (08:37 – 15:57)

• Original Plan: Sneak in disguised as construction workers, hide in the attic, wait to confront the victim (Michael).
• Once inside, Kevorkian realizes Nayeri brought a backpack containing not just snacks but guns, zip ties, and ski masks.
• Growing apprehension as the night drags on and unexpected complications arise:
  • The victim’s girlfriend, Mary Barnes, comes home first, disrupting Nayeri’s plan.
  • Kevorkian:

    “I didn't sign up for this. I don't want to hurt a woman. It's a big red line for me.” (15:52)

The Attack: From Robbery to Torture (17:07 – 18:48)

• Kevorkian says he tried to reassure Mary:

  “I remember telling her, this has nothing to do with you. I'm sorry. I felt horrible, to be honest with you.” (17:07)

• The crime escalates as Michael is abducted, beaten, and tortured.

• The most shocking moment:

  • Nayeri orders Handley to mutilate Michael—an act, according to Kevorkian, that shocked everyone but Nayeri himself.
  • Kevorkian describing the moment:

    “He told Kyle, you're gonna cut his thing off... Since you didn't give us the money, we're gonna cut your dick off...” (18:26)

• Victims are left in the desert, while the three perpetrators go to Subway for sandwiches—a moment underscoring the cruelty and casualness of their actions.

  • Kevorkian:

    “Hussein and Kyle, they left. They left me in the van at a Subway. We ate kind of close to where the house was…” (19:26)

3. Aftermath & Legal Fallout

Kevorkian’s Role: Cooperation and Sentencing (20:43 – 21:27)

• Law enforcement considered Kevorkian a far less dominant figure than Nayeri, attributing most of the planning and violence to the mastermind.
• Kevorkian pleaded guilty, received a reduced sentence of 12 years and four months due to his cooperation and plea deal, while Nayeri and Handley received life terms.
  • Matt Gutman reflects:

    “He pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping, a count of burglary, count of assault with a firearm, and he was given…12 years and four months.” (21:10)

Ongoing Fallout: Is the Story Over? (21:38)

• Nayeri continues to appeal his conviction; the case, in Matt Gutman’s view, lingers long after official closure.
  • Matt Gutman:

    “With most cases like this…it’s never quite over. …We will bring it to you as soon as we hear anything about that appeal.” (21:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nayeri’s Dominance:
  Matt Gutman:

  “The thing with Nyere is that he gets these people back in his orbit. And even though everything in the every fiber in their being screams don't do it, they do it.” (06:30)

• Kevorkian’s Fearful Cooperation:
  Ryan Kevorkian:

  “I'm worried about him. No, it's my family. He knows where my family's at. He knows what. That's what I worry about. ... This guy is very ... dangerous dude. Do not put anything above this guy.” (20:23)

• Brad Milke’s Reflection on the Horror:

  “It’s also, like, sadistic sounding, Matt...” (19:36)

Key Timestamps

• 01:45 – Overview of main perpetrators and the rarely-discussed Ryan Kevorkian
• 04:38 – Kevorkian describes his estranged friendship with Nayeri
• 05:33 – Nayeri recruits Kevorkian for the robbery
• 07:44 – Evidence of video surveillance from inside victim's house
• 13:24–15:57 – Tension, unexpected arrival, and the moral qualms of Kevorkian
• 17:07–18:48 – The torture, mutilation, and Kevorkian’s horror
• 19:26 – Aftermath: The perpetrators’ chilling Subway stop
• 20:43 – Kevorkian’s legal fate and cooperation
• 21:38 – Unfinished business: Nayeri’s ongoing appeals

Tone and Reflections

Brad Milke and Matt Gutman maintain a tone of journalistic curiosity, horror, and empathy for the victims. They acknowledge the unreliability and self-serving nature of Kevorkian’s statements but balance that with investigative context and law enforcement perspectives, emphasizing just how “unsettling” and inhuman the crime truly was. The conversation is candid, respectful of the graphic nature, and intent on demystifying the roles and motivations behind a notorious crime.

Summary prepared for true crime enthusiasts seeking a deep, inside look at the minds, motivations, and consequences behind one of Southern California’s most notorious cases.