The Binge Crimes: The Doodler Episode 5: An Actor and a Diplomat Walk into a Bar Release Date: July 29, 2025

Introduction to the Investigation

In this episode, hosts Kevin Fagan and Mike Taylor delve deeper into the haunting case of "The Doodler," a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco's gay community in the mid-1970s. Unlike more infamous serial killers like the Zodiac or Ted Bundy, The Doodler remains relatively obscure despite potentially matching the Zodiac Killer's victim count.

Investigation Progress and Challenges

Kevin and Mike discuss the complexities of reporting a case overwhelmed with uncertainties. Mike Taylor candidly shares the difficulty of piecing together fragmented historical data, stating, "We're relying on history" (01:18). The investigation is likened to assembling a jigsaw puzzle without all the pieces.

The Fifth Victim: Harold Goldberg

The narrative shifts to the discovery of Harold Goldberg's body in June 1975 at Fox Plaza, near Lincoln Golf Course at Land's End. Goldberg, a 66-year-old Swedish immigrant and merchant seaman, was found with his throat slashed and his pants unzipped (05:21). The investigation into his death proved challenging due to his age and the lack of available records:

"Any contemporary would be 110 years old, or at least 100. So that's sort of a problem." — Mike Taylor (06:45)

Key Investigators: Earl Sanders and Rotea

Inspectors Earl Sanders and Rotea were assigned to the case, renowned for their street-level connections, particularly within San Francisco's gay bars (06:22). Their efforts, however, were hampered by the elusive nature of Goldberg's background and the limited information available.

Potential Witnesses: The Actor and the Diplomat

Newspaper clippings from the 1970s hint at possible survivors and key witnesses, including a well-known actor and a diplomat. The hosts explore these leads, uncovering that an actor frequented upscale gay bars, as noted by investigator Ron Huberman:

"Rock and Cary Grant were two that were, you know, everybody talked about, oh my God, Rock Hudson came into that club." — Ron Huberman (10:14)

The investigation also uncovers a diplomat who survived an attack by The Doodler, providing crucial but limited information about the killer's appearance and demeanor.

The Diplomat's Attack and Its Implications

In a pivotal moment, the diplomat was brutally stabbed six times but survived, offering the first detailed physical description of The Doodler. The diplomat's reluctance to come forward was rooted in fear of public exposure and personal trauma, as explained by Inspector Cunningham:

"He's got some other issues throughout the years because of that attack." — Dan Cunningham (17:42)

The Composite Sketch Debate

A composite sketch based on the diplomat's description was released to the public in November 1975. However, experts like attorney Karen Neuwirth critique the reliability of such sketches, especially in cross-racial identifications:

"Composite sketches are unreliable, that the ability to describe a person is not well correlated to the ability to identify them." — Karen Neuwirth (27:14)

Psychology Professor Jennifer Dysart further explains the cognitive challenges in creating accurate sketches, highlighting potential biases and inaccuracies.

Ongoing Leads and Research Efforts

Despite the flawed sketch, the investigation received an anonymous tip that provided a license plate number, hinting at a possible breakthrough (32:08). The team continues to pursue leads, focusing on a potential Swedish diplomat and leveraging international contacts to access archival records.

Mike Taylor details their methodical approach to narrowing down suspects by cross-referencing names from the 1975 San Francisco city directory with Swedish consular records, emphasizing the challenges posed by legal restrictions on accessing foreign archival data.

Conclusion and Future Directions

As the episode concludes, the hosts reflect on the intricate web of leads and the enduring mystery of The Doodler. The composite sketch remains a double-edged sword, offering both hope and potential misdirection. The next episode promises to explore the impact of an anonymous tip on the investigation, potentially bringing new clarity to the decades-old case.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "We're relying on history." — Mike Taylor (01:18)
• "Any contemporary would be 110 years old, or at least 100. So that's sort of a problem." — Mike Taylor (06:45)
• "Rock and Cary Grant were two that were, you know, everybody talked about, oh my God, Rock Hudson came into that club." — Ron Huberman (10:14)
• "He's got some other issues throughout the years because of that attack." — Dan Cunningham (17:42)
• "Composite sketches are unreliable, that the ability to describe a person is not well correlated to the ability to identify them." — Karen Neuwirth (27:14)

Next Episode Tease

The episode wraps up hinting at a significant phone call from an anonymous woman that could potentially shift the investigation's direction. Listeners are left anticipating the next installment to uncover whether this tip could finally lead to identifying The Doodler.

Stay tuned for Episode 6: [Next Episode Title] as Kevin Fagan and Mike Taylor continue unraveling the enigmatic case of The Doodler.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 5, highlighting key discussions and insights while omitting non-content segments such as advertisements and introductions.