Bonus Episode of ‘Someone’s Hunting Us’ Highlights New Court Update in Khalil Wheeler-Weaver Case
A new bonus episode of the investigative true crime podcast Someone’s Hunting Us is giving listeners a fresh look at one of New Jersey’s most disturbing serial murder cases while providing an update on the long-delayed prosecution of convicted killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver in the death of 15-year-old Mawa Doumbia.
The special video episode takes audiences beyond the original podcast by sharing behind-the-scenes moments from the production process, discussing recent developments in the ongoing court case, and revealing a personal connection one of the podcast’s hosts discovered while reporting the story. The episode also revisits the difficult reporting journey that brought renewed attention to the victims and the people who fought for justice.
The podcast focuses on Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, who targeted vulnerable Black girls and women across North Jersey in 2016. Investigators later determined that several warning signs had been overlooked before he was eventually arrested. Friends and family members of the victims repeatedly tried to raise concerns, and one woman survived an encounter with Wheeler-Weaver. Despite her account, she was not believed at the time, allowing the killer to remain free until another young woman disappeared.
That disappearance ultimately led to a larger investigation, with loved ones refusing to stop searching for answers. Their determination played a major role in exposing the crimes and helping law enforcement build the case that resulted in Wheeler-Weaver’s conviction.
Wheeler-Weaver is currently serving a 160-year prison sentence for multiple murders. However, the legal process surrounding another alleged victim, Mawa Doumbia, has remained unresolved for years. Doumbia was a 15-year-old freshman at East Side High School in Newark who disappeared in 2016 after immigrating from the Ivory Coast. Authorities did not identify her as another victim until after Wheeler-Weaver had already been convicted in his earlier trial.
The prosecution related to Doumbia’s death has moved slowly. According to the latest court update discussed in the bonus episode, Wheeler-Weaver has obtained a new attorney while continuing efforts to challenge his previous convictions through the appeals process. Those legal developments have contributed to delays in bringing the additional murder case to trial.
His next scheduled court appearance is set for Aug. 17. During previous proceedings, Judge Mark Ali indicated that the case could be ready for trial early next year if preparations continue as expected. The upcoming hearing is expected to provide another indication of when the long-awaited trial may finally begin.
The newly released bonus episode also explores the extensive reporting behind Someone’s Hunting Us. Veteran journalists Daysi Calavia-Robertson and Rebecca Everett spent more than a year researching the case, conducting interviews with victims’ families, reviewing investigative records, and examining the events that allowed Wheeler-Weaver to continue targeting victims for months.
Executive producer Christopher Kelly joins both reporters in the special episode to discuss some of the most difficult moments they experienced while creating the series. They reflect on conversations with Wheeler-Weaver himself, emotional interviews with grieving relatives, and broader questions surrounding why serial killers who target marginalized communities often receive less public attention.
The episode also includes updates on the legal case from Everett, while Calavia-Robertson shares that her reporting uncovered a personal family connection to the investigation. Those new details offer listeners additional insight into how the journalists approached one of New Jersey’s most complex criminal cases.
Since its release, Someone’s Hunting Us has received significant recognition within the podcast industry. The investigative series has been shortlisted for three Publisher’s Podcast Awards and previously climbed to No. 3 on Apple Podcasts’ Top Series chart. It also continues NJ.com’s tradition of producing investigative audio journalism centered on major criminal cases.
Throughout the series, the reporting focuses not only on the investigation but also on the lives of the victims. Family members and close friends share memories that help listeners understand who these women and girls were beyond the headlines. The victims featured include Robin West, a 19-year-old from Philadelphia; Joanne Brown, a 33-year-old woman in recovery; Sarah Butler, a 20-year-old college student from Montclair; and Mawa Doumbia, whose case remains pending in court.
Rather than concentrating only on the crimes themselves, the podcast examines larger questions about how warning signs were missed, why early reports were not taken more seriously, and whether similar failures could happen again if vulnerable victims continue to be overlooked.
As the legal proceedings continue, the new bonus episode serves as both an update on the pending case and a closer look at the reporting that has kept public attention focused on the search for justice for all of Wheeler-Weaver’s alleged victims.
Sources
- NJ.com
- Superior Court of New Jersey