911, what's your emergency? I'm Jason Horton. I'm Rebecca Leeb. And this is Ghost Town.

On a weeknight in suburban San Diego, circa the mid-80s, operators and police dispatch weren't usually slammed with calls.

But one operator had a night that's far from quiet. In fact, the contents of this call

would be detailed and debated for decades to come. Today on Ghost Town, the case of Ruth Price,

the internet's most infamous 911 call. As a note, the contents of this call might be disturbing for some, and we're about to

play it now, so please listen with care. It's approximately one minute, so if you'd like to fast

forward, please do so now. This is the Ruth Price of 3877. What's the problem, ma'am?

Oh, there's some guy been checking the place out.

How?

Well, he went in the back. I have an apartment in the back, and he said he was looking for a guy.

And he comes to my door.

Yes.

And I said he's looking for an apartment.

So I live alone and I'm an old lady.

Mm-hmm.

Where is he now, ma'am, ma'am?

I have no idea.

Ah! Hs! As you just heard it, as you just heard on the evening of November 3rd, a call comes into San Diego Dispatch.

The caller says, my name is Ruth Price and I live at 3877, and then the operator interjects,

What's the problem, ma'am?

Calmly, but hesitantly, Price tells the operator that a man is prowling outside her home.

"'He's out in the back, looking around, but then he comes to my door, says he's looking for an apartment,' Price says.

...