Podcast Summary: Hunting the Bogeyman | Episode 4: The Arrest

Podcast: The Binge Crimes: Hunting The Bogeyman
Host: Sony Music Entertainment (narrated by Peter McDonnell)
Original Air Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, "The Arrest," the investigative team finally closes in on the NorCal Rapist, Roy Charles Waller, after nearly three decades of terrorizing women in Northern California. Leveraging advances in genetic genealogy, the team follows clues to Waller’s doorstep, surveils him, collects direct DNA evidence, and ultimately orchestrates his dramatic arrest. Survivors and investigators recount the shock, relief, and unresolved pain that follows, while the episode also reveals police missteps that prolonged the hunt. The narrative sets the stage for the upcoming landmark trial, the first case in the world to go to trial based on forensic investigative genealogy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impact of Genetic Genealogy

• Golden State Killer’s Capture Inspires a Break: Detective Avis Beery, upon hearing of the GSK’s capture via genealogy, immediately calls her sergeant to push for the same approach for the NorCal Rapist.

  • Avis Beery: “We have to do this with NorCal. I just got chills talking about that just now. I just said to myself, this is gonna work. I just knew it. Like, I just felt it in my bones.” (02:10–02:33)

• Monica Tchaikowski and Kirk Campbell’s Swift Success:

  • The research team uploads the NorCal Rapist’s DNA to a public database, immediately finding a strong match to the surname Waller and then to the full name, Roy Waller—an unusually rapid identification.
  • Monica Tchaikowski: “The last name Waller stood out to us right away... Roy Waller...” (03:34–03:52)
  • “It took them just 45 minutes to identify Roy Waller.” (05:03)

• Caution Before Arrest:

  • Paul Holes, detective: “You never make an arrest on genealogy. That is just providing you a lead. Now you need to get a direct DNA sample.” (05:28–05:34)

2. Surveillance and Securing a DNA Sample

• CCAT Team Surveillance:

  • The Apprehension Team closely observes Waller at his Benicia home, noting his routines (motorcycle rides, backpack). (05:42–07:42)
  • Discussion on “trash run” to obtain DNA from discarded items (soda straw, apple core, sneakers):
    • Avis Beery: “That's how they do it.” (08:22–08:24)

• A Serendipitous Lead:

  • The genealogy match comes only because a relative uploaded their data “just a few weeks earlier”—a stroke of luck.
    • Monica Tchaikowski: “It was just serendipitous.” (08:50)

• Confirmation:

  • DNA from the soda straw matches the serial rapist.
    • Avis Beery: “We got him. We got him.” (09:06)

3. The Arrest of Roy Charles Waller

• Operation & Setting:

  • Multiple vehicles (CCAT agents) shadow Waller from his home to his workplace at UC Berkeley, where he worked for 26 years.

• Confrontation:

  • Detective: “One of the detectives pulled out a shotgun... Roy Waller looked very surprised. And he also peed his pants. You know, he literally had the piss scared right out of him.” (11:53–12:12)

• During Detainment:

  • Waller remains silent during a 90-minute drive, raises suspicions about how much he thinks police know.

4. The Interrogation

• Interview Tone & Approach:

  • Detective Avis Beery finds Waller eerily calm and nonreactive.
    • “When I talked to him, he looked right through me. His eyes were just kind of dead.” (13:26–13:51)

• Strategy:

  • Avis tries to place Waller at crime scenes and use victim photos, but Waller denies everything, at one point absurdly suggesting his DNA was “planted.”
    • Avis Beery: “Why would your DNA be inside of her vagina?”
    • Waller: “I don't know. Maybe you planted it there.” (15:29–15:54)
  • Eventually, he “lawyered up.” (16:05)

• Evidence Found:

  • Waller’s “rape kit” found in his backpack: sex toys, zip ties, gloves, flashlight, black beanie, tape.
    • “He basically had a rape kit.” (16:36–16:52)

• Waller’s Attempted Suicide:

  • Waller tries several times to hang himself with his hoodie string; each attempt fails due to the string breaking.
    • “For all the things Waller wouldn't say, his actions said it all.” (17:55)

5. Telling the Survivors: Nicole’s Story

• Nicole's Emotional Call:

  • Nicole Earnest-Payte, notified by a victim’s advocate, is overwhelmed after 27 years.
    • Nicole: “I actually fell. I fell to the floor. I was on the floor sobbing. I just remember saying, thank you, thank you, thank you. It's been 27 years. It's been 27 years.” (20:29–21:21)

• Family and Community Support:

  • Nicole’s husband and friends rally around her as news spreads.
  • The press conference, led by Sacramento DA Anne Marie Schubert and Chief Daniel Hahn, confirms what Nicole always suspected—that the attacks in her county fit the pattern.
    • Nicole: “I was fucking right about Sonoma. I was right the entire time.” (22:55–23:04)

• Telling Her Son:

  • Nicole struggles with how to tell her son, receiving support from a therapist friend. Her son’s football team expresses solidarity:
    • Coach: “Your mom’s a real badass.” (25:47)

6. Police Missteps and Lingering Regret

• Critical Missed Opportunity:
  • A detective had once sat down with Waller and failed to collect his DNA, noting only that Waller “didn’t fit the NorCal Rapist’s profile.”
    • Avis Beery: “I don't think ever I've been so close to vomiting in my life. And then I just wanted to cry. ... Because we had this guy, Peter. We had this guy, and it was good old fashioned police work that did it. How am I going to explain this to Nicole, to all my other victims?” (27:07–27:48)

7. Legal Precedent and Foreshadowing Trial

• The First of Its Kind:
  • Unlike the Golden State Killer, who pled guilty, Waller maintains innocence—making this the first trial using forensic investigative genealogy evidence.
    • “Everyone on the prosecution team knew their case was going to set a precedent.” (27:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Avis Beery (Detective), on new investigative tools:
  “I just got chills talking about that just now. I just said to myself, this is gonna work. I just knew it. Like, I just felt it in my bones.” (02:18)

• On narrowing in with genealogy:
  Monica Tchaikowski: “Roy Waller.” (03:52)

• On arresting Waller:
  “Roy Waller looked very surprised. And he also peed his pants. You know, he literally had the piss scared right out of him.” (11:53–12:12)

• Nicole upon hearing the news:
  “I was on the floor sobbing. I just remember saying, thank you, thank you, thank you. It's been 27 years.” (21:18)

• Nicole on confirmation of pattern:
  “I was fucking right about Sonoma. I was right the entire time.” (23:04)

• Waller denying DNA evidence:
  Avis: “Why would your DNA be inside of her vagina?”
  Waller: “I don't know. Maybe you planted it there.” (15:51)

• Waller’s rape kit evidence:
  “He basically had a rape kit.” (16:52)

• On missed opportunity by police:
  Avis Beery: “I just wanted to cry ... Because we had this guy, Peter.” (27:16–27:48)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Speaker(s) | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------| | 02:10–02:33 | Avis Beery reacts to GSK capture, proposes genealogy | Avis Beery | | 03:34–03:52 | Surname and ID of Roy Waller revealed through genealogy | Monica Tchaikowski | | 05:28–05:34 | Paul Holes: don't arrest on genealogy alone | Paul Holes | | 08:22–08:24 | DNA "trash run" method described | Avis Beery | | 08:50 | "Serendipitous" family DNA upload | Monica Tchaikowski | | 09:06 | DNA match confirmation, exclamation | Avis Beery | | 11:53–12:12 | Waller’s arrest and immediate reaction | Peter McDonnell, Beery | | 13:26–13:51 | Waller’s demeanor in interrogation | Avis Beery | | 15:51 | Waller’s implausible DNA excuse | Waller, Beery | | 16:52 | Backback/rape kit revealed | Avis Beery | | 17:04–17:55 | Waller’s suicide attempt | Peter McDonnell | | 21:18 | Nicole learns of arrest, emotional reaction | Nicole Earnest-Payte | | 23:04 | Nicole confirms pattern of attacks | Nicole Earnest-Payte | | 25:47 | Coach supports Nicole’s son | Football Coach | | 27:07–27:48 | Police missed DNA collection opportunity | Avis Beery |

Tone & Style

The narration is tense, empathetic, and deeply human, capturing the emotional aftermath for both investigators and survivors following a major break in a decades-old case. Detective and survivor voices are direct and unfiltered, reflecting trauma, relief, regret, and resilience.

Conclusion

This episode chronicles the scientific and emotional breakthroughs in the NorCal Rapist case—showing not just the triumph of investigative persistence, but the cost of setbacks, the fragility and strength of survivors, and the historic legal path ahead. The story’s blend of modern forensics, personal reckonings, and systemic reflections set the stage for a precedent-defining trial.

Next Episode Preview:
As Waller’s trial approaches, the full scope of his crimes and the impact on his victims is exposed, with Nicole preparing to face the “bogeyman” in court—solidifying the personal and societal stakes of this landmark case.