Podcast Summary: 20/20 – Devil in the Desert: Cat and Mouse

Episode Release Date: June 18, 2025
Host: ABC News
Series Description: Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports, and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories. Accompanied by the official 20/20 After Show, the True Crime Vault, and spotlighting true crime originals.

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Devil in the Desert: Cat and Mouse," ABC News's Matt Gutman delves into a harrowing true crime case that spirals from a brutal kidnapping to an international manhunt. This episode meticulously unpacks the events, investigative challenges, and the relentless pursuit of justice surrounding the victims, Mary and Michael.

The Crime Unfolds

The tranquility of a crisp morning on October 2, 2012, in the Mojave Desert is shattered when Police Sergeant Steve Williams encounters Mary, a distressed woman with zip ties, near Highway 14 in Rosamond, California.

• Sergeant Williams' Discovery:
  "In the half light of dawn, something caught the sergeant's eye. A figure standing by the side of the road... She was barefoot and had a blindfold pushed up on her forehead." ([01:41])

Mary urgently informs Sergeant Williams about her friend Michael, who has been severely injured. The severity of Michael's condition becomes apparent when Mary reveals the grotesque mutilation he endured:

• Mary's Account of Michael's Injury:
  "They zip tied and cut his penis off. Cut his penis off?" ([06:37])
  "What had taken place is the suspects had taken a zip tie and wrapped it around the base of the penis... and just above the zip tie, they'd cut his penis off." ([06:40])

This unspeakable atrocity leaves Sergeant Williams shocked, marking the beginning of a complex investigation.

Initial Investigation Challenges

Detective Ryan Peters arrives on the scene, grappling with the brutality of the crime. The absence of forced entry and untouched valuables initially misleads investigators into considering a standard burglary gone awry. However, the meticulous nature of the crime suggests premeditation.

• Detective Peters on the Crime Scene:
  "We get homicides, we get the murders... but an actual kidnapping, torture case left for dead in the desert? No, that's a once in a lifetime case." ([29:18])

Complicating matters, Michael survives with severe injuries that include chemical burns from bleach, which likely obliterated any forensic evidence.

• Prosecutor Matt Murphy on Evidence:
  "Bleach is the one agent that exists that is guaranteed to destroy DNA... So there's no forensic evidence from Michael that's probably going to be of any value." ([34:08])

The Investigation Deepens

With minimal physical evidence, detectives pivot to alternative investigative techniques. A pivotal breakthrough comes from a neighbor, referred to as Mrs. Kravitz, who witnessed unusual activity near the victims' home hours before the attack.

• Neighbor's Testimony:
  "I saw some unusual activity at Michael and Mary's house hours before the attack happened." ([37:15])

This eyewitness account directs the investigation toward potential suspects and motives, unraveling connections that were previously obscured.

Pursuit of the Perpetrators

As the investigation progresses, Detective Peters considers multiple angles, including Mary herself and her boyfriend Bill, who runs a local poker ring. The complexity of the case is heightened by the nature of the perpetrators, who exhibited extreme sadism devoid of clear motive beyond perceived financial grievances related to Michael's medical marijuana dispensary.

• Matt Murphy on the Perpetrators' Cruelty:
  "They want to make sure that he has no chance it's ever reattached. And that represents a level of sadism and cruelty that... I never saw anything like this." ([32:51])

The meticulous brutality indicates carefully planned actions, suggesting the involvement of organized individuals rather than spontaneous criminals.

Conclusion: A Decade-Long Chase

The episode concludes by highlighting the relentless and nearly decade-long pursuit of the mastermind behind the heinous crimes against Mary and Michael. Matt Gutman's in-depth reporting uncovers the layers of deception, psychological manipulation, and the intricate web of connections that eventually lead to the apprehension of the perpetrator.

Throughout "Devil in the Desert: Cat and Mouse," listeners are taken on a chilling journey through one of the most disturbing true crime cases, marked by its complexity and the unwavering determination of those seeking justice for the victims.

Notable Quotes:

• "At that point I immediately knew that this was... going to be a long day." – Mary ([03:01])

• "You just take a deep breath. To this day, I still can't quite wrap my head around it." – Mary ([07:16])

• "I thought, well, I've got nothing to lose. So I went out. It was beautiful." – Michael ([11:05])

• "They keep ripping off my gag and asking me over and over, where's the money?" – Michael ([18:01])

• "Bleach is the one agent that exists that is guaranteed to destroy DNA." – Matt Murphy ([34:08])

This episode serves as a profound exploration of human resilience and the dark depths of criminal intent, making "Devil in the Desert: Cat and Mouse" a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of one of the most unsettling cases in recent history.