The Hunter – Episode 1: "The Revelation: I could kill my children's father"

Podcast: The Hunter
Host: Anaya Echo Hawk
Date: July 8, 2025
Production: BBC Studios
Theme: An unflinching, emotional true crime story of a mother’s relentless fight for justice after her son is sexually abused.

Episode Overview

The first episode of The Hunter introduces Lydia Lerma, a devoted mother whose life is turned upside down after learning her son was sexually abused. This episode unfolds the harrowing revelation, the rush of rage and heartbreak, and Lydia’s determination to pursue justice. Through intimate narration and real-time storytelling, host Anaya Echohawk and Lydia herself guide listeners from the family’s everyday life in Fort Collins, Colorado, to the moment their world shatters—setting the stage for an international manhunt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Moment Everything Changes

• Opening Scene: Lydia is awakened by her barking dog Nacho (00:50). She groggily opens the door to find her ex-husband Jason, pale and shaken.

• Jason’s Disclosure: Jason arrives at Lydia’s house very early, visibly upset and struggling to share traumatic news. He confesses that something terrible has happened (02:23).

• Lydia's Internal Turmoil: Upon hearing that their son has been abused, Lydia is immediately overtaken by rage and thoughts of violent retribution—reflecting the primal, "mama bear" response.

  “For a moment it flashed through my head that I could kill my children's father and I could go to his house and go kill his roommate.”
  — Lydia Lerma (02:52)

• Decision Point: Lydia describes explicitly envisioning retrieving her firearm but ultimately recognizes her responsibility to her children, deciding against vengeance (03:08).

  “I can't kill anybody. I can't spend the rest of my life in prison. I want to be a grandma someday, and I'm not going to abandon my children by making that mistake.”
  — Lydia Lerma (20:09)

2. Flashback: Building a Life in Fort Collins

• Meeting Jason: Lydia recounts her chance encounter and whirlwind romance with Jason (06:35–10:27), including flirtatious exchanges and the sweetness of new beginnings.

  • Memorable details include the meet-cute at a traffic light, Lydia’s nephew playing wingman, and her internal monologue about dating as a single mom.

• Marriage and Growing Family: The podcast shares moments of joy—marriage, pregnancy announcements (11:00), and the birth of their son, which Lydia describes as healing and transformative.

  “I just had this beautiful baby boy. It was like this huge depression was lifted off my shoulders.”
  — Lydia Lerma (12:40)

3. Trouble On The Horizon

• Cracks in the Foundation: Lydia and Jason’s marriage becomes strained, leading to arguments, separation, and eventual divorce. Jason moves out and into a bi-level house, which becomes significant later (14:22–15:41).

• Introduction of Andrew Vanderwaal: After the separation, Jason befriends and eventually rooms with Andrew Vanderwaal, a younger, troubled veteran. Lydia voices deep suspicion about Vanderwaal, documenting her concerns—but Jason dismisses them as paranoia (17:00–17:44).

  “I probably have a notebook an inch thick of text messages where I was expressing my concern... the children's father would dismiss me, and he would dismiss my concerns.”
  — Lydia Lerma (17:00)

4. Signs Something is Wrong

• Behavioral Shifts: Lydia’s son, now shuttling between households, begins exhibiting violent outbursts and troubling behavior (18:28–19:44). Lydia feels guilty and at a loss, rationalizing his actions as an effect of divorce.

5. The Day of Revelation (Revisited)

• Lydia narrates the morning of October 28, 2016, in detail. Jason appears at her door and delivers the devastating news: Vanderwaal has been sexually abusing their son (20:09).
• Lydia’s cascading thoughts, her urge for violence, and subsequent clarity—“I have to be here for my children”—are recounted with raw intensity.

6. Immediate Response: Law Enforcement Steps In

• Police Involvement: Lydia insists Jason call the police. Detective Brenton Dayton is assigned to the case (21:42).

• Evidence Collection: The authorities quickly respond, collecting clothing for DNA evidence and guiding the family through necessary steps for a criminal investigation (22:55).

• Hospital Visit: Lydia faces the excruciating decision to allow her son to undergo a sexual assault examination, and regrets not being fully transparent with him at that time (23:56).

  “I made the mistake of not being honest with my son...I should have been 100% transparent.”
  — Lydia Lerma (23:56)

7. Waiting for Justice

• The Forensic Interview Delay: The family must wait through a long weekend before a child forensic interviewer is available (25:17). Meanwhile, Jason goes into hiding to avoid contact with Vanderwaal.
• Cub Scout Uniform for Bravery: Lydia’s son wears his Cub Scout uniform to the forensic interview for courage—a touching moment about the power of small rituals in trauma (26:35).
• Lydia's Regret: She reflects on feeling dismissed by Jason regarding her concerns about Vanderwaal (27:19).

8. Crucial Evidence and Progress

• The Interview’s Outcome: After a long, anxious wait, Detective Dayton delivers the news: they have enough evidence to proceed with the case (28:53).
• Pretext Call: Jason agrees to participate in a recorded phone call with Vanderwaal, to try and elicit a confession—showing resolve despite anguish (29:18–31:14).
  • Jason's sense of responsibility and guilt is palpable; he’s determined to do his part.
• Waiting for Vanderwaal: After tense attempts to contact Vanderwaal, he finally returns Jason’s call (31:27–32:36), setting up the next chapter in the hunt for justice.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lydia on rage and restraint:
  “I was so angry. I was fucking livid.” (02:44)
  “I could kill my children's father and I could go to his house and go kill his roommate.” (02:52)
• Lydia's maternal determination:
  “As much as I wanted to dig a hole and crawl in it and die, I knew I couldn't. And I made the choice to stand and fight.” (33:29)
• Detective Dayton on Lydia:
  “Lydia definitely walks the walk, and I admire her for that.” (33:48)
• Jason’s reflection:
  “Every child who is abused, I think, deserves someone like Lydia to fight for them. I mean, she's definitely got that mama bear thing going on.” (33:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:50: Lydia wakes up to find Jason at her door
• 02:23: Jason finally delivers the devastating news
• 03:08: Lydia contemplates vengeance but chooses her children
• 06:35–10:27: How Lydia and Jason met and fell in love
• 11:00: Birth of their son and its impact on Lydia
• 14:22: Family routines and the onset of marital issues
• 17:00: First mention and suspicions about Andrew Vanderwaal
• 19:44: Lydia grapples with her son’s behavioral changes
• 20:09: The morning of the revelation, Lydia’s thoughts and rage
• 21:42–22:55: Police response and evidence collection
• 23:56: Hospital visit and Lydia’s regret
• 25:17–26:35: The wait for forensic interview; Cub Scout uniform moment
• 28:53: Police have enough to proceed with charges
• 29:18–31:14: Pretext call setup and Jason’s commitment
• 31:27–32:36: Vanderwaal finally calls Jason back—cliffhanger for next episode
• 33:29–34:22: Reflections, resolve, and previews of the fight ahead

Tone & Style

The episode is raw, deeply emotional, and unvarnished—capturing both the adrenaline of tragedy and the warmth of family bonds. Lydia’s candidness, Anaya’s sensitive narration, and Detective Dayton’s professionalism create a sense of urgent empathy and relentless pursuit for justice. The conversational and reflexive structure embeds listeners deeply in the family’s conflict and the beginnings of Lydia’s transformation into a true-life hunter for justice.

Conclusion / Set Up for Next Episode

The episode concludes with Lydia choosing to "stand and fight" for her son’s justice and lays the groundwork for the coming pursuit of Andrew Vanderwaal—foreshadowed as a high-stakes, international manhunt. Lydia’s battle is just beginning, driven by the ferocity of a mother’s love.