Finding the Lost Girls

For decades, a father in the Bay Area made his living taking people’s portraits, but he harbored a monstrous secret. When one woman vanished in 1976, the only clue police had was that she’d gone to a restaurant to meet a photographer about a modeling job. Other women who’d gone to get their pictures taken were found murdered in the woods in Marin County. This disconnected series of homicides and disappearances remained stubbornly unsolved. But then in 2010, a probation officer caught a lucky break.

During a routine visit to the man’s home, the officer discovered a list of clues to what appeared to be ten murders. The photographer, Joe Naso, who was in his 70s and on probation for petty theft, argued that the list was meaningless. The disturbing pictures in his home said otherwise.

A statewide investigation exposed that Joe Naso had led a shocking and secret life of predation and violence. A judge sentenced Naso to death for six of the murders on his list, and sent him to San Quentin. But the other cases on Naso’s list went cold, perhaps permanently.

Then, a few years ago, celebrated detective Paul Holes reopened them. Paul had been part of the original investigation team, and that work felt unfinished. At San Quentin, Naso was nearing ninety and his health was declining. If they were going to solve the other cases on his list it was now or never. The only problem was, Paul had been retired for six years. Could he still work the same magic?

This is the gripping tale of Holes’ real-time investigation into four cold case homicides, pitting one of America’s best detectives against one of its most prolific and deranged serial killers. It was recorded, written, and produced as events unfolded.