How Journalists Uncovered the Story Behind a Serial Killer in North Jersey Through the Podcast “Someone’s Hunting Us”

NJ.com’s new true-crime podcast revisits a terrible chapter in North Jersey’s recent history, bringing attention. The series, “Someone’s Hunting Us,” concluded its investigation into serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver’s years-long targeting of young Black girls and women. The podcast covers both the atrocities and those who kept the victims’ tales alive.

The series examines how 20-year-old Wheeler-Weaver, from a law-enforcement background, avoided suspicion while meeting women on dating apps and the streets. The podcast reported that he repeatedly evaded discovery while attacking North Jersey. The inquiry indicated that the victims were young ladies he assumed would receive less attention or protection.

Podcast victims include 15-year-old Mawa Doumbia. Her Newark disappearance worried her friends, who searched for answers until authorities noticed a hazardous pattern. The audio shows how victims’ loved ones’ persistence exposed what was happening. A woman who survived Wheeler-Weaver’s attack helped investigators find and stop him.

“Someone’s Hunting Us” was reported, produced, and hosted by NJ.com and Star-Ledger journalists Daysi Calavia-Robertson and Rebecca Everett. Both journalists worked on the project for over a year. They interviewed many sources, examined interrogation tape, and researched the victims and suspect. This lengthy analysis sought to explain how the crimes occurred and why warning flags were missed.

Talking to victims’ families and friends was challenging throughout reporting. A decade later, many still hurt from the events. The journalists said that every conversation required empathy and patience because they were asking people to recall their most terrible memories. Some people volunteered to talk immediately, including Mawa Doumbia’s friends who thought her tale had never been told. Others were naturally hesitant to revisit loss and dread memories.

Reporters said source confidence was crucial. Explaining why the narrative mattered and how the podcast will respect the victims was common in early chats. Interviews were often halted due to intense emotions. The journalists stated they balanced accurate facts with regard for the emotional well-being of those sharing their experiences.

After 15 years as a journalist, Rebecca Everett said her approach to interviewing disaster victims has altered. Earlier in her career, she thought objectivity meant emotional distance. Years of crime and court reporting changed that. She now feels people should be acknowledged for their grief and treated with empathy rather than silence.

Daysi Calavia-Robertson also noted the personal emotional consequence of reporting. As a mother, she said watching families recount their loved ones’ dying days made her imagine losing a kid. Her work sometimes followed her home, causing vivid dreams and concern about the investigation. She saw her emotional connection to the story as part of understanding the crimes’ human nature.

Because the reporters felt Mawa Doumbia’s life had been underreported, the podcast began with her story. Some reports briefly mentioned her in relation with other victims. The designers wanted listeners to grasp who she was and how her departure affected them. The podcast highlights an underrepresented voice by centering her story.

Racial difference in missing person cases is another important aspect of the series. The reporters studied the longstanding worry that missing white women receive greater public attention than missing Black women and girls. Some authorities reacted defensively when they mentioned the matter during their reporting. When presented with evidence, several authorities asserted that everything was handled appropriately, journalists said.

The inquiry revealed the larger problems underprivileged populations confront in seeking attention for lost loved ones. A sex worker in the podcast says she feels invisible in society because individuals like her are ignored. These views can affect how quickly incidents are taken seriously, reporters say.

A poignant element of the story is about the young women who searched for Mawa Doumbia after she disappeared. They knocked on doors, contacted friends, and kept searching for answers without waiting for aid. In many areas, family and friends feel they must rely on themselves because outside help may not arrive quickly, according to reports.

Khalil Wheeler-Weaver’s former acquaintances are also interviewed for the podcast. Some of his friends still struggle to embrace his convictions. Some acknowledge the evidence against him, but others think he may not be guilty. The reporters observed that these sentiments generally stem from an unwillingness to reconcile the person they remember with his later behavior.

The journalists interviewed Wheeler-Weaver’s pals and found widespread suspicion of police enforcement. Even with solid evidence, mistrust made some question whether the probe was fair.

Even though the podcast has issued its final main episode, the reporters say they may not finish the tale. A bonus episode has been recorded, and new case-related conversations may lead to more updates. They will also monitor Wheeler-Weaver’s legal actions, including his attempt to avoid trial for Mawa Doumbia’s death. Journalists will closely cover a trial if it proceeds.

“Someone’s Hunting Us” goes beyond recounting crimes through months of reporting and interviews. The podcast centers on victims, examines how systemic concerns can impact investigations, and shows how families and friends kept looking for answers.