Podcast Summary: Firebug

Episode: A Masked Man. A Silent Trail. The Hunt for the Bogeyman
Date: November 12, 2025
Host: truth.media

Episode Overview

This gripping episode delves into the story of Nicole Ernest Pate, who, as a young woman, survived a terrifying home invasion and sexual assault in the early 1990s. The episode unravels her account of that night, the trauma that followed, and the years-long mystery of the masked predator who eluded police for decades—earning him the moniker “the Boogeyman.” The episode also sets the stage for the related series "Hunting the Boogeyman," highlighting the strength and perseverance of survivors and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicole’s Story: The Night That Changed Everything

• Setting the Scene (03:12–05:56)
  • Nicole, 19 and newly single, buys her first home in Rohnert Park, CA.
  • After breaking up with her boyfriend and living alone, she places a newspaper ad for a roommate.
  • Receives a suspicious call from a man identifying himself with the generic name “Bob Smith,” whose flat, monotone voice sticks in Nicole's memory.
    • Quote: “I got this specific inquiry that stuck in my brain because it just sounded like an odd name. My name is Bob Smith. Really? Your name's Bob Smith? Interesting. And I just remembered his voice.” – Nicole (04:37)
• The Lead-Up to the Attack (05:26–06:10)
  • Nicole, exhausted after work, stays home one Saturday night, plans to meet “Bob Smith” Sunday morning.
  • She prepares to relax, wearing a light robe, watching TV.
• The Attack (07:05–08:02)
  • Nicole wakes to a masked man with a gun to her head, claiming, “Don’t move, I’m just here to rob you.”
  • Realizing this is not a simple robbery, sheer terror sets in as he walks her upstairs.
    • Quote: “I will never forget the feeling of being walked up the stairs. I will never forget that as long as I live. Because that’s when it hit me. Oh shit. I’m in real trouble.” – Nicole (07:56)
  • The masked man sexually assaults Nicole for hours.

2. Aftermath & Lasting Trauma

• Living With the Unknown (08:16–08:30)
  • Nicole reflects on the profound impact, stating she has thought about the crime daily since.
    • Quote: “I thought about this crime every day of my life and still do. And I always will.” – Nicole (08:16)
  • The identity of her assailant remained a mystery, heightening her fear and anxiety.
    • Quote: “Did not know his name, did not know what he looked like. Is he somebody I know? Is he in my own community?” – Nicole (08:30)
• Isolation and Secrecy (08:30–09:00)
  • Nicole confides she never told most people, withholding the truth from even her husband.
  • She fantasized about the day the attacker would be caught, longing for closure.
    • Quote: “I would fantasize about how good it would feel to not have to wonder who he was for the rest of my life and be scared for the rest of my life.” – Nicole (08:56)

3. The Boogeyman and the Broader Hunt

• Pattern Recognition and Forensic Breakthroughs (00:12–03:02)
  • Nicole’s perseverance helps detectives recognize her attack was part of a larger pattern.
  • Introduction of cold case detective Paul Holz and prosecutor Keith Hill, who describe the attacker as “the boogeyman, the manifestation of a nightmare.”
• Long Road to Justice (02:38–03:12)
  • The attacker evaded capture for nearly 30 years, until advances in forensic science and persistent detectives cracked open the case.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vulnerability and Fear:
  “We all have our bedtime routine...But another part of the routine is safety. You're about to shut down your senses. It’s the most vulnerable part of your life and you do it every day. So you lock your doors at night...There’s a word for the thing we’re protecting ourselves from in the middle of the night. The boogeyman. The boogeyman that we want to believe doesn’t exist. And then you’re confronted with the reality that they do.” – Host (00:37)

• On the Masked Assailant:
  “For most of my life after this happened, I didn’t have a face at all or a name, just a voice and a presence.” – Nicole (02:38)

• On Bravery and Survival:
  “The heart of this story is a courageous woman named Nicole. She not only survived this nightmare, she went after the boogeyman.” – Host (02:57)

Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:00–03:12: Setting up Nicole’s story, introducing the threat of the “boogeyman” and the long-unsolved case.
• 03:12–05:26: Nicole’s background, moving into her first home, breakup, and search for a roommate.
• 05:26–06:10: The suspicious call from “Bob Smith”; Nicole’s decision to stay home.
• 06:10–08:02: The attack—Nicole is awoken by a masked man; the assault.
• 08:02–09:00: Nicole’s reflection on the trauma and its lifelong impact; desire for justice.

Tone and Language

The episode employs an intimate, respectful, and unsettling tone. Nicole’s recounting is detailed but restrained, the host’s narration is compassionate yet matter-of-fact, and quotes from law enforcement underline the seriousness and horror of these events.

Closing Note

This episode offers not only a chilling account of a survivor’s ordeal but also emphasizes the enduring strength it takes to navigate life with unresolved trauma. It highlights the vital role of law enforcement, forensic breakthroughs, and survivor advocacy in bringing serial predators to justice.

Listeners seeking the full story are encouraged to follow the related series “Hunting the Boogeyman.”