New Podcast Exposes Ohio Serial Murder Case Through Exclusive Evidence

A new podcast from ABC News and 20/20 examines one of the most striking criminal cases in the American heartland—one where a victim's desperate act of survival became the key to exposing a serial killer operating across multiple states.

'The Hand in the Window,' launched November 4, 2025, investigates the September 2016 kidnapping of a woman in rural Ashland, Ohio, and the subsequent revelation that her captor, Shawn Grate, was responsible for at least five confirmed homicides. The nine-episode series, hosted by veteran ABC News correspondent John Quiñones, is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

The case gained international attention for one pivotal moment: the victim managed to call 911 using her kidnapper's own phone—a moment of quick thinking that would prove crucial to law enforcement. This single act of defiance set in motion a comprehensive police investigation that would eventually expose one of Ohio's most dangerous criminals.

What makes the podcast particularly compelling for international true crime audiences is its access to primary source material rarely heard publicly. The series includes audio from the original 911 call—the terrified voice of a woman seeking help—alongside 33 hours of interrogation recordings between Detective Kim Mager and Grate. During these marathon questioning sessions, Grate made detailed confessions to five murders across Ohio, though investigators have suggested the actual death toll may be higher.

For listeners unfamiliar with the American criminal justice system, the significance of these extended interrogations cannot be overstated. In the United States, recorded confessions obtained during police interviews are considered among the most damning evidence in court, particularly when they involve graphic details only the perpetrator would know. Grate's admissions during Mager's questioning provided the foundation for multiple murder convictions.

The case reflects broader patterns seen in North American serial murder investigations: a predator operating in rural areas with limited inter-agency coordination, combined with victims who were often vulnerable or isolated. Grate's victims were not randomly selected; they represented a specific category that may have made them less likely to immediately trigger coordinated search efforts.

For Scandinavian audiences accustomed to different policing methods and victim-centered justice systems, the American approach documented in this podcast—intensive interrogation, confession-based prosecution, and media-driven investigation exposure—offers a striking contrast. While Nordic countries emphasize rehabilitation and victim support, this case demonstrates the American criminal justice focus on confession and conviction.

The podcast's structure allows listeners to follow the investigation chronologically, from initial response to the kidnapping through the detective work that connected Grate to multiple murders. Each episode builds evidence methodically, creating a narrative arc that highlights both the competence of Detective Mager's investigation and the horrifying scope of Grate's crimes.

Shawn Grate was convicted and sentenced to death in Ohio. The state continues to investigate whether additional unsolved cases may be connected to him, making this podcast not just a historical record but an ongoing investigation in many respects.

The release of 'The Hand in the Window' reflects a broader international trend: major news organizations converting documentary journalism into podcast formats, allowing for deeper exploration of criminal cases than traditional broadcast allows. For true crime enthusiasts worldwide, the series represents the American media's approach to explaining complex murder investigations through narrative storytelling combined with authentic evidence.

One critical element that resonates across borders: the podcast emphasizes the victim's agency in her own survival. Her decision to use her captor's phone became the catalyst for justice—a reminder that in criminal cases, the actions of victims themselves often prove as significant as police work in determining outcomes.