Devil in the Desert: Episode "Cat and Mouse" Summary
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host: ABC News
Episode: Cat and Mouse
Introduction: The Discovery
The episode opens with the harrowing discovery that set off a decade-long investigation. On the morning of October 2, 2012, Sergeant Steve Williams was driving through the Mojave Desert in Kern County, California, when he noticed a lone figure by the roadside.
Mary Barnes (00:59): "My shift hadn't quite started yet, or it was just about to start and it was a crisp, cool morning."
As he approached, Sergeant Williams realized the woman, identified as Mary Barnes, was in distress—barefoot, with her hands bound and a blindfold covering her eyes.
The Crime Scene
Mary led Sergeant Williams to a secluded area in the desert, revealing the gruesome condition of her friend, Michael.
Mary Barnes (06:24): "Williams without the zip tie had cut his penis off. Cutting his penis off?"
Upon arrival, Michael was found severely beaten, with evidence indicating a brutal and premeditated attack. The severity of the mutilation shocked the investigators, highlighting the cruelty of the perpetrators.
Mary Barnes (07:05): "I still can't quite wrap my head around it."
The Attack: A Nightmarish Ordeal
The narrative delves into the events leading up to the discovery. Mary and Michael were living together in Newport Beach, California, a few weeks after Mary relocated from Florida. Their seemingly peaceful life was shattered when three masked men invaded their home on October 1, 2012.
Michael (09:08): "Now I'm about to get killed by a deranged man in a cage."
During the attack, Michael was brutally assaulted—his injuries so severe that Mary feared for their lives. The attackers demanded information about a supposed million dollars Michael possessed, alluding to his involvement in the medical marijuana industry.
Michael (17:15): "I was listening very hard because that was all I had and thinking, if I survive this, I want to be able to tell detectives something that can help them."
Mary's desperate attempts to aid Michael amidst her own captivity underscore the intensity of their ordeal.
The Escape: A Glimmer of Hope
As dawn broke, Mary seized a fleeting opportunity to escape. Despite her restraints, she managed to find a knife concealed by the attackers and used it to free herself and Michael.
Michael (26:06): "The sun was just...so beautiful. It's the most beautiful sunrise I had ever seen because I was alive to see it."
Barefoot and bruised, Mary led Michael towards the nearest highway, where Sergeant Williams had already initiated a search. Their escape was both a testament to their resilience and a pivotal moment in the investigation.
Michael (27:39): "He opened the door and got out. And I said, officer, my friend and I were kidnapped in Newport Beach and they drove us up here in a van and tortured my friend. Please call an ambulance now."
Initial Investigation: Unraveling the Mystery
At the local hospital, Detective Ryan Peters was briefed on the case. The initial assumption was a simple robbery gone wrong, but inconsistencies soon suggested a more sinister, premeditated motive.
Ryan Peters (29:07): "This was a once in a lifetime case."
Detective Peters scrutinized the crime scene in Newport Beach, noting the lack of forced entry and the untouched safe deposit box, which contradicted the robbery theory. Suspicion began to fall not only on potential external threats but also on the household members, including Mary's boyfriend, Bill, and Michael himself.
Matt Murphy (32:02): "It's something Peters would have to look into. He was even suspicious of Michael."
Challenges in the Investigation: Dead Ends and Desperation
The investigation faced significant hurdles due to the perpetrators' meticulousness. Michael's injuries were further complicated by chemical burns from bleach, destroying potential DNA evidence. Additionally, the description of a white truck or panel van was too generic to narrow down suspects.
Matt Murphy (33:58): "There's no forensic evidence from Michael that's probably going to be of any value."
The team resorted to canvassing the neighborhood, a tedious process with minimal leads, until a breakthrough came from an unexpected source.
Breakthrough: Witness Testimony
A pivotal moment emerged when Mrs. Kravitz, a vigilant neighbor, reported unusual activity at Mary and Michael's house hours before the attack.
Matt Murphy (37:01): "You heard a ladder in the alley. You went out there and looked through your upstairs second-floor window and saw the truck."
This eyewitness account provided the first significant clue, directing investigators towards the possible identity and movements of the perpetrators.
Conclusion
"Cat and Mouse" meticulously reconstructs the brutal crime that thrust Mary Barnes and Michael into a nightmare, leading to a complex investigation fraught with dead ends and emerging clues. The episode highlights the resilience of the victims and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement, setting the stage for subsequent episodes that delve deeper into the international manhunt for the elusive mastermind, Hossein Nayeri.
Notable Quotes:
- Mary Barnes (02:12): "Her hands were bound behind her back."
- Michael (09:30): "Somebody please help. Somebody stop."
- Matt Murphy (32:40): "I never saw anything like this."
- Ryan Peters (29:07): "This was a once in a lifetime case."
- Mary Barnes (26:58): "As I was walking toward the highway..."