The Doodler | 1. The Coldest Case in San Francisco

The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer

Sony Music

True Crime, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.1 • 2.9K Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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 starts by looking into The Doodler’s first known victim - Gerald Cavanagh. This is a re-released series from The Binge archives. Binge all episodes of The Doodler, ad-free today by subscribing to The Binge. Visit The Binge Crimes on Apple Podcasts and hit ‘subscribe’ or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access. From serial killer nurses to psychic scammers – The Binge is your home for true crime stories that pull you in and never let go. The Binge – feed your true crime obsession. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠podcastchoices.com/adchoices⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode has been brought to you by Netflix. It's Ben here putting you up on the latest docs.
0:04.9	Netflix are releasing this month so that you're ahead of the game. Trust me, as a documentary addict,
0:09.5	I can tell you Netflix is the place for fascinating true stories. First up, from the 11th of June,
0:16.7	we have Titan, the Ocean Gate disaster. Now, you might remember Ocean Gates' Titan tourists submersible imploded in 2023 on this deep sea dive to the Titanic.
0:27.0	This documentary details how that bold vision ended in tragedy woven together with this investigation into the world of billionaire adventure tourism.
0:36.5	I remember when the news of this story first broke,
0:39.1	I couldn't stop thinking about the nightmarish element of it all.
0:41.8	Also on Netflix this month, we have Train Rec,
0:44.5	which is an eight-parter digging back into some of the strangest culture-shifting
0:48.6	and even shocking events that once dominated mainstream media.
0:52.3	We kick off 10th of June with an episode of the Astro
0:55.1	World tragedy. Start streaming today for more unmissable stories only on Netflix.
1:04.6	The Benj. You're listening to The Doodler, a re-release series from The Binge archives.
1:13.1	If you're a subscriber to The Binge, you can listen to all episodes, ad-free right now.
1:18.0	Visit The Binge channel on Apple Podcasts or getthebinge.com to browse all the great shows on the channel.
1:24.7	The Binge, feed your true crime obsession.
1:29.3	This series contains depictions of violent assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised.
1:37.3	This emergency call was made on the night of January 27, 1974.
1:44.4	I believe there might be a dead person. Um, of January 27th, 1974. Man helping?
1:53.7	Yeah, I believe there might be a dead person on the beach right across from your lower street.
1:55.1	A lower street?
1:59.1	I just wanted to let somebody now, maybe he needs help or something.
	...

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