San Francisco Chronicle / Ugly Duckling Films / Sony Music Entertainment

The Doodler

Society EN ↓ 4 episodes

The Golden State Killer. The Unabomber. Ted Bundy. You’re probably familiar with these serial killers. But in the mid-1970s, another monster terrorized San Francisco’s gay community. He was coined “The Doodler,” and he may have been responsible for as many victims as the Zodiac Killer, yet you’ve probably never heard of him. Plagued by a complicated investigation, a frightened public, and the hesitation of many to come forward, the case went cold, and a killer walked free. Nearly 50 years later, a renewed hunt for a forgotten serial killer seeks to change that. Have a tip? Email thedoodlerline...

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San Francisco Chronicle / Ugly Duckling Films / Sony Music Entertainment

Episodes

Out Now: Crime Scene Weekly — Unforgettable True Crime Stories 26.03.2026 1:08

From The Binge, ⁠Crime Scene⁠ plunges you into stories you can’t stop thinking about—revisiting cases that deserve a second look. Join Jonathan Hirsch (My Fugitive Dad, Dear Franklin Jones) and investigative reporter Cooper Moll as they crack open overlooked details, challenge the official narrative, and uncover what others missed. Each episode delivers the depth of a true crime mini-series in a s...

1. The Coldest Case in San Francisco 16.03.2021 30:21

You’ve probably heard of the Zodiac Killer but not The Doodler. Why not? Between 1974 and ‘75 he killed at least 5 gay men in San Francisco and got away with it. But ever since, the case has been mostly overlooked. Until now. SFPD re-opened the case in 2018, with investigator Dan Cunningham at the helm. Meanwhile, award-winning reporter and host Kevin Fagan starts an investigation of his own. He s...

Trailer: Introducing The Doodler 02.03.2021 3:33

San Francisco was a haven for queer people in the 1970s, but it was also home to a little-known serial killer called the Doodler. It might sound like a silly name, by his body count is as high as the Zodiac's. All of his victims were gay men. The Doodler was never caught. His murder spree was forgotten — lost in the chaos of the times. But 46 years later, the case has been reopened. San Francisco...

Help Us Find a Serial Killer: The Doodler 15.10.2020 1:50

The Golden State Killer. 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” and may have killed as many people as the Zodiac Killer. And yet you’ve likely never heard of the Doodler. While a social movement roared to life in the city...