Podcast
The Hunter
Hosted by BBC Studios · EN
A gripping true crime story of survival, justice, and the power of a mother’s love.
A mother’s love is fierce. A mother’s fight for justice is unstoppable. When Lydia Lerma discovers the unthinkable has happened to her son, she refuses to wait for justice - she hunts for it.
The Hunter is a thrilling true crime documentary following one woman’s relentless pursuit of a criminal which turns into a high-stakes international manhunt. From the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the streets of Mexico, Lydia stops at nothing - risking her own safety to bring him to justice.
This series contains very strong language and deals with sexual abuse.
Email the team thehunter@bbc.com
Host: Anaya Echo Hawk
Producer and writer: Emma Weatherill
Sound designer: Melvin Rickarby
Production management: Juliette Harvey
Executive Producer: Joe Kent
The Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio production
9episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What to listen to next: World of Secrets
Dec 1700:04:27Summary readyGlobal investigations from the BBC. Uncovering gripping stories from around the world and telling them episode by episode. Delve into a World of Secrets. Latest season: The Child Cancer Scam. Your child is critically ill. It’s the worst news you can get. But to make the situation even more awful, you struggle to afford the care they need. So when someone tells you a foreign sponsor can help raise the money, you’ll do anything. You make a video: your child begs for help from strangers online. But it comes to nothing. You wait and wait for the cash that was donated. It never comes, and all the while your child is fighting for their life. Episodes are available weekly on the BBC App or wherever you get your podcasts. Or you can listen to the full season now, first on Apple Podcasts with BBC Podcasts Premium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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BONUS: "This is such a cool, badass native lady"
Nov 1700:38:51Summary readyHow did Lydia’s son react to listening to The Hunter? In this bonus episode, producer Emma Weatherill brings Lydia Lerma and Anaya Echo Hawk back to answer your questions, share their raw reactions, and reveal the moments that stayed with them long after the series ended. This episode contains some strong language and deals with sexual abuse. Email the team thehunter@bbc.com If you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com. Host and producer: Emma Weatherill Guests: Lydia Lerma and Anaya Echo Hawk Sound designer: Melvin Rickarby Production management: Juliette Harvey Executive Producer: Joe Kent The Hunter is a BBC Studios productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Trial: "Here’s my redemption"
Nov 1000:40:26Summary readyJustice hangs in the balance. After everything she’s sacrificed, justice is finally within reach. But the legal system is unpredictable, and the fight is far from over. As Lydia prepares for the battle of her life, she realizes this isn’t just about her son - it’s about every survivor still waiting for their day in court. This episode contains very strong language and deals with sexual abuse. Email the team thehunter@bbc.com If you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com. Host: Anaya Echo Hawk Producer and writer: Emma Weatherill Executive Producer: Joe Kent Sound design: Melvin Rickarby Legal review: Oriana Williams Editorial review: Michael Fadda Production management: Juliette Harvey and Elaina Boateng. Production Executive: Laura Jordan Rowell. Development: Anya Saunders and Georgia Moseley Production Creative Director: James Cook Director of Audio: Richard Knight. The Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Chase: "I was not going to rest"
Nov 300:31:25Summary readyA high-stakes pursuit through the streets of Cuauhtémoc. Lydia is torn between her need for justice and fear of blowing the operation. As she wrestles with her own past and the weight of her mission, she’s forced to decide: how far is too far? This episode contains very strong language and deals with sexual abuse including a description you might find distressing. Email the team thehunter@bbc.com If you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com. Host: Anaya Echo Hawk Producer and writer: Emma Weatherill Sound designer: Melvin Rickarby Production management: Juliette Harvey Executive Producer: Joe Kent The Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Predator: "Death would be too easy"
Oct 2700:29:27Summary readyIn Mexico, with danger at every turn, Lydia is closer than ever - but getting too close could mean risking everything. The FBI warns her to stand down, but she’s come too far to quit. With tensions high and tempers flaring, a plan is set in motion. But nothing prepares her for what she sees when the moment finally arrives. This episode contains some strong language and deals with sexual abuse. Email the team thehunter@bbc.com If you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com. Host: Anaya Echo Hawk Producer and writer: Emma Weatherill Sound designer: Melvin Rickarby Production management: Juliette Harvey Executive Producer: Joe Kent The Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Phone Call: "I'm going to make you famous"
Oct 1300:33:33Summary readyA taped confession should mean justice - but what if the predator disappears? As Lydia struggles to keep her family together, the weight of what’s to come is unbearable. Then, an unexpected turn leaves her questioning whether justice will ever be served. This episode contains some strong language and deals with sexual abuse. Email the team thehunter@bbc.com If you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com. Host: Anaya Echo Hawk Producer and writer: Emma Weatherill Sound designer: Melvin Rickarby Production management: Juliette Harvey Executive Producer: Joe Kent The Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Prey: "I need to get eyes on this guy"
Jul 800:33:18Summary readyTo catch a predator, think like one. Lydia builds a digital dragnet, using social media and online sleuthing to track her prey’s escape route. Lydia begins piecing together a trail, using instincts honed in the wilderness and from her Lipan Apache heritage. But when new evidence surfaces, she realizes she’s not the only one searching. This episode contains very strong language and deals with sexual abuse. Email the team thehunter@bbc.com If you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com. Host: Anaya Echo Hawk Producer and writer: Emma Weatherill Sound designer: Melvin Rickarby Production management: Juliette Harvey Executive Producer: Joe Kent The Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio productionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Revelation: "I could kill my children's father": 1
Jul 800:34:17Summary readyA knock at the door changes everything. A secret that shatters a family. Consumed by rage, Lydia considers vengeance. But instead, she chooses another path: justice. She calls the police and the hunt begins.The Hunter is a thrilling true crime documentary following one woman’s relentless pursuit of a criminal which turns into a high-stakes international manhunt. From the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the streets of Mexico, Lydia stops at nothing - risking her own safety to bring him to justice.This episode contains very strong language and deals with sexual abuse. Binge all episodes of The Hunter exclusively and ad-free, right now on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting wondery.com/links/the-hunter now. Email the team thehunter@bbc.comIf you are in the UK and have been affected by the issues in this series, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. In the US, there are a range of services available through the Traumatic Stress Institute which provides an A – Z helpdesk and helpline. Wherever you are in the world, you can search for an appropriate service at www.findahelpline.com.Host: Anaya Echo HawkProducer and writer: Emma WeatherillSound designer: Melvin RickarbyProduction management: Juliette HarveyExecutive Producer: Joe KentThe Hunter is a BBC Studios Audio productionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryThe Hunter: Trailer
Jul 200:01:52Summary readyWhen Lydia Lerma learns the horrifying truth about what was done to her son, she doesn’t wait for justice - she goes after it.The Hunter is a gripping true crime story about one mother’s fearless mission to track down a predator - no matter the cost.From small-town Colorado to the heart of Mexico, Lydia risks everything to get justice for her son.This isn’t just a story of crime. It’s a story of courage. Of resilience. Of a mother who refuses to back down.Because when justice won’t come to you… sometimes, you have to hunt it down.Binge all episodes of The Hunter exclusively and ad-free, right now on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting wondery.com/links/the-hunter now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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