Small Town Dicks – Episode Summary

"There Are Monsters"

Podcast: Small Town Dicks
Release Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Yeardley Smith, with Detectives Dan & Dave, Paul Holes, and guest Detective Lindsay

Episode Overview

In this harrowing episode, fan-favorite Detective Lindsay returns to recount her investigation into the serial sexual predator Donald Schneider—a man whose horrific crimes spanned decades and whose ability to blend in and disappear led to dozens of missed opportunities for justice. The episode delves into Lindsay’s dogged pursuit of cold cases, her breakthroughs using preserved evidence and advances in DNA, and the emotional weight of finally uncovering the full scale of Schneider's depravity. The hosts and Lindsay discuss not only the crimes themselves but the evolution of serial offenders, the gaps in law enforcement practices, and the lingering trauma left with survivors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Initial Case: Mary’s Assault (06:03–16:44)

• Receiving the Case
  • In 2005, Detective Lindsay is assigned 70 sex crime cold cases, including Mary’s case from 2004.
  • "My partner and I basically split them up. He got half, I got the other half." (06:31)
• Details of the Assault
  • Mary, a 52-year-old sex worker, was brutally assaulted and left covered in duct tape, with significant injuries.
• Suspect Identification
  • The attacker had an improvised ‘mobile rape kit’, attempted to eliminate DNA with OxiClean, and shared personal info with Mary.
  • Detective Beverly cross-referenced prescription medication given to Mary against registered sex offenders, identifying Donald Schneider.
• Challenges in Prosecution
  • Mary couldn’t identify Schneider in the initial photo lineup due to his drastically changing appearance.
  • DNA evidence from Mary's sexual assault kit eventually confirmed Schneider, despite his efforts to avoid leaving traces.
  • Lindsay notes the systemic issues of evidence testing:
    "Back in 2004, like, the crime lab didn’t test evidence unless the case was gonna be charged or...arrest made...That’s not really how things worked." (09:30)
• Outcome
  • Schneider is convicted for Mary’s assault, receiving life without parole (his second sex strike). Lindsay thought this would be the end of his story, but it wasn’t.

2. Uncovering a Pattern: Prior and Cold Cases (18:06–26:25)

• First Known Assault
  • In 1982, Schneider violently assaulted 14-year-old “Jessica”—caught in the act and expressing self-destructive wishes upon arrest.
    • "Donald’s response was, I wish you would have [shot me]." (20:23)
  • He served just over half of a 10-year sentence, then seemed to disappear for two decades.
• Detective Lindsay’s Hunch
  • Suspicious of the gap in charges, Lindsay continues combing through archives for unsolved, related cases.
  • In 2012, discovers the 1995 kidnapping and rape of 9-year-old “Emily”—whose rape kit had never been analyzed.
  • Miraculously, the kit was still in storage. DNA matches Schneider, closing the gap and confirming a pattern of victimization across ages and decades.
    • "A few months later, [the detective] calls me and says, you are never gonna believe who hit to that case. Donald Schneider." (24:31)
  • Schneider pleads guilty and receives another life without parole sentence.

3. Investigative Insights: Evolution & Motive of Serial Offenders (26:25–32:47)

• Serial Predator “Crossover"
  • Schneider victimized an extremely wide age range, from children to adults.
  • Paul Holes observes:
    "That is not the case. We see this more often than not where we see offenders that will attack adults, but then also will attack prepubescent kids." (27:28)
  • Lindsay notes his adaptability and opportunism—the crimes evolved to minimize detection risk and exploit gaps in police procedure.
• Family Connection and Grooming
  • Interview with Schneider’s ex-wife Linda reveals she was groomed and abused by him as a child—started dating at 13 while Schneider was in his mid–late 20s.
    • "Linda actually reveals that she was also a victim of Donald’s as a child." (29:06)
  • Linda recounts a chilling confession by Donald expressing fantasy about abducting additional victims.
  • Linda references a school friend, “Jane,” who vanished after Schneider gave her a ride home, suggesting there may be homicide cases remaining undiscovered.

4. Additional, Uncharged Cases and Missed Opportunities (36:54–47:18)

• 2004 Attack on “Holly” and “Michelle”
  • A mother and daughter are ambushed; police sketch (from their description) closely resembles Schneider, and matches his appearance and car, but evidence is ultimately destroyed.
  • The wrong person is prosecuted, leading Lindsay to say:
    "Everything about it, it just screamed Donald Schneider to me...but unfortunately, they just could never get there." (41:23)
• 1988 Assaults on Amanda and Roberta
  • Two 14-year-old girls abducted, with Schwneider’s MO: vehicle with passenger handle missing, driven to same park as Mary.
  • Swabs not preserved, no DNA; victim Amanda, when contacted decades later, expresses gratitude for not being forgotten.
    • "She’s like, thank goodness...you didn’t forget about me." (47:10)

5. Interviewing the Monster: Schneider’s Prison Reactions (49:16–54:04)

• In 2015, Lindsay interviews Schneider; he avoids confession but expresses vague remorse and blames his memory on methamphetamine addiction.
• He refuses to speak about further crimes while his mother is still alive, a sentiment that Paul Holes confirms as common among some serial offenders.
  • "He did say that he knew he’d done a lot of bad stuff in his life, and Donald did admit he is where he needs to be." (51:34)

6. Psychological Analysis & Broader Reflections (54:04–58:44)

• Discussion on the risk calculus for offenders letting victims go; Schneider seemed to assume his victims wouldn’t or couldn’t report, particularly sex workers.
• Paul Holes explains the difference between serial rapists and serial killers: the former typically do not kill for gratification.
  • "Assuming he doesn’t have any homicides, I would say homicide is not part of his fantasy." (54:14)
• Many of these cases remain unresolved; there are likely many more victims.
• Detective Lindsay’s doggedness, empathy, and thoroughness are praised by the hosts.
  • "You’re like a fucking dog with a bone...your thoroughness and your sort of...I’m gonna go outside what would be considered the box..." – Yeardley Smith (56:59)
  • "You shouldn’t be a detective investigating violent crimes against people if you don’t give a fuck." – Detective Lindsay (58:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Forensic Limitations & Changes Over Time:
  • "Back in 2004...the crime lab didn’t test evidence unless the case was gonna be charged or there was gonna be an arrest made..." – Detective Lindsay (09:30)
• On Victim Impact:
  • "I’m so glad you called. I’m just so happy that I wasn’t forgotten and that somebody actually cares about what happened." – Amanda, 1988 victim (47:10)
• On the Complexity of Offender Psychology:
  • "The misperception is that these types of offenders are these pure through and through, absolute psychopaths...the reality is...their psychology is much more complicated." – Paul Holes (55:09)
• On Investigative Motivation:
  • "You shouldn’t be doing this kind of work and you shouldn’t be a detective investigating violent crimes against people if you don’t give a fuck." – Detective Lindsay (58:03)

Important Timestamps

• [06:03] Lindsay receives Mary’s case and describes the attack
• [09:30] Explaining forensic testing challenges in 2004
• [14:20] Arrest and interrogation of Donald Schneider
• [18:06] The 1982 assault on “Jessica”; introduction of long criminal gaps
• [23:12] Discovery and resolution of 1995 “Emily” case
• [27:28] Paul Holes on crossover offenders and their evolution
• [29:06] Shocking revelations from Schneider’s ex-wife
• [41:23] Missed chance to re-investigate the wrongful prosecution in Holly and Michelle’s case
• [47:10] Amanda’s response to being contacted decades later
• [51:34] Schneider’s partial admission and deflection during prison interview
• [54:14] Paul Holes on the distinction between serial rapists and killers
• [56:59] Yeardley commends Lindsay’s tenacity and caring

Tone & Language

The hosts and detectives speak with a mix of professional candor, raw honesty, and deep empathy for victims. Detective Lindsay, in particular, is unwavering and direct about the failings and pain in these cases but remains motivated by justice and care.

Summary

This episode gives listeners a deep, disturbing look inside the reality of hunting serial predators in small towns, the importance of never giving up on cold cases, the power (and limitations) of forensic advancements, and the humanity required to do the hardest investigative jobs. Detective Lindsay’s persistence not only leads to justice but also highlights the gaps that still remain—urging continued vigilance for victims who have yet to see their day in court.