Why listen
A serial killer terrorized SF's LGBTQ+ community in the 1970s and was never caught.
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In this episode
- The full story of a cold case that predates most true-crime coverage
- How fear of being outed silenced witnesses and stalled the investigation
- Why the Doodler's crimes were buried while other killers became infamous
- What it meant to be queer in San Francisco while a murderer walked free
About this episode
The Zodiac. The Unabomber. Ted Bundy. Serial killers you’ll be familiar with. But between 1974 and 1975, there was another ruthless serial killer at large, terrorizing San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community. He was coined “the Doodler.” While a social movement roared to life in the city, the Doodler haunted its queer nightlife scene: drawing sketches of his victims and engaging in sexual acts with them before brutally murdering them. Plagued by a flawed investigation, a frightened public, and hesitation from victims’ friends and associates, who feared involvement would out them to family and employers, the investigation went cold. And so the Doodler walked away free.SUBSCRIBE NOW
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About PRIDE
On Pride, host Caitlynn McDaniel deep dives into the LGBTQ+ stories lighting up our screens — and the people who bring them to life. Each week, she sits down with the stars we love, the creators behind the scenes, and the voices changing the way stories are told.
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