Hunting Warhead

by CBC
3,090

How do you take down a criminal network that’s hidden in the shadows? How do you rescue child abuse victims who could be anywhere in the world? Hunting Warhead follows the journalists and police on a global mission to expose the darkest corners of the internet. What they discover shocks them. Host Daemon Fairless tracks down the investigators, survivors and criminals themselves. A co-production of CBC Podcasts and the Norwegian newspaper VG. For the best in true crime from CBC, ad-free, visit apple.co/cbctruecrime.

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Recent Reviews
  • WestieIsMyBestie
    Wow
    Heavy is the word I use to describe this podcast. Wow.
  • Jklowder
    Simply one of the best
    I’ve listened to just about every podcast there is in the true crime genre. Let me tell you, this one ranks up there with the best of the best.
  • mfiano
    Sticks with you
    The best, most thoroughly investigative podcast I have ever heard. Incredibly nuanced and well written, CBC is the goat.
  • The Lizzy Bear
    One feedback:
    I get the point you are trying to make. I don’t believe we need to feel sorry for pedophikes. They really aren’t these wonderful loving depictions. No. That’s part of the narrative of cognitive dissonance.
  • katjoee
    Fantastic Journalism, Investigation and Storytelling
    You’ll need to mentally prep yourself for the subject matter of this podcast, but if you can, it’s worth it. This is probably one of if not the most well done true crime podcast I’ve ever listened to. I highly highly recommend listening. The subject matter is dark, sickening and nauseating at times, but the creators do a great job of skipping over details that are unnecessary. Incredibly well done. Highly recommend.
  • 'Truth Serum’ was incredible
    Well done
    Excellent journalism for a very difficult subject to listen to. Glad you all are doing this work and bringing this to the light.
  • soul24
    Absolutely Top Notch
    Well-researched and expertly delivered. From the first to the last episode there is very little filler here. It’s going to be tough to listen to, especially if you have children, but really anyone with a sense of empathy will be shocked and disgusted. But it is also a very important investigation that sheds much-needed light on the depths of depravity present on the dark web.
  • Brishinit
    Difficult but well done
    I’m a lawyer who represents sexual abuse survivors (custody and protective orders, not prosecution of perpetrators). I hear and read stories of child sex abuse every day. Even for me this was a tough listen. That said, it was extremely well done and accurate. This is something I think everyone should hear. Sexual predators are not creepy strangers jumping out of bushes or luring kids into vans with candy. Nearly all of the time they are trusted family, friends, or respected members of the community. Believe kids when they say something.
  • BritBrit48
    One of the absolute bests
    This is easily one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to. The reporting and production are incredible. A must listen!
  • Samantha Wynn
    Wow. All star reporting on a horrible topic.
    I’m critical of true crime podcasts. True journalism is hard to find. This is a horrifying, important topic - certainly difficult to report on. I loved the slip in episode when the call ends. I’m a parent of young children. I will never forget this podcast. Thank you, Jen, for sharing your story. I cried, and replayed your final address to the court. You are a hero, an extraordinary woman, and fierce mama. I’m very grateful to everyone who contributed to this reporting. Thank you.
  • IaDolphin
    Shocking and Informative
    Thank you for tackling such a difficult subject. This was presented very well and thought out. The interviews were informative and the questions asked were spot on. Your investigative journalism is top notch! The broadcast quality was great as well.
  • Mama Nowka
    Hard listen
    This podcast, made me so emotional. Extremely insightful but a extremely gruesome reality that I had to actually take breaks from listening so I could stomach proceeding. This is extremely thorough and well done journalism. 10:10
  • YankiJ
    Excellent
    Brilliant podcast on something that’s not reported enough. Must listen!!
  • lboncek
    Excellent reporting. Couple things though…
    Absolutely hands down the hardest to listen to, most haunting and disturbing subject matter, but in Daemon and the VG team, it’s handled with as much professionalism, courage, honesty and grace as possible. I’m not finished listening to it yet but I just finished the episode with Jenn. And as much as I do agree with other commenters saying she is brave for telling her family’s story, I’ve got a bone to pick here… If you get “one of those tugs” where you just don’t feel right about someone with your kids, for any reason - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KID ALONE WITH THAT PERSON. She let him give her kid a bath? Let him swim with her? I know she tried to caveat that she was nearby the whole time, but that’s all it takes for a predator to act. As a parent, you listen to those instincts and act on them and NEVER leave your kid in someone’s hands if your instinct tells you otherwise. It also bothers me that she never spoke of how her kids - the real victims in this situation - are doing now. Great that she feels like a warrior, but what about your children? That’s what this is all about. Anyway, in a nutshell, this is sickening but very well done. I hope I can stick it out to the end. Thank you for the reporting and storytelling, CBC.
  • Spesh713
    So well done
    Bravo. Done with care and reason while lacking sensationalism. This subject needs to be talked about and reported on far, far more often.
  • MessyInMn
    Heartbreaking and infuriating
    Warhead is enraging, but I binged this anyway. Really engrossing and well told
  • BBBETHERS
    Riveting …
    This is the best podcast I have ever listened to . The host & reporters are brilliant - production flawless . While the subject is heartbreaking it’s important people are aware of how prevalent it is is every society . I would listen to anything Damien hosts .
  • Ccjorgenson
    Amazingly well done
    This podcast is incredibly well done. Difficult topic but so important to be educated about. This podcast is professional, and respectful of victims as well. Thank you to task force Argos for the horrifically difficult work they do. The world is a safer place because of it. If you found this podcast to be well done, I also recommend “the children in the pictures” podcast which features interviews with members of law enforcement involved in these types of investigations. Also a very well done podcast!
  • KillinMyVibes
    Listen to your parental instinct…
    It’s catastrophic if you don’t, it’s unforgivable not to listen. I was listening to the rude awakening episode and the cops are bloody useless, why did they wait until they raped a child to arrest these monsters?
  • Kris9122
    Disturbing and difficult
    This podcast is exceptionally well-made and produced. The producer/narrator has a great voice and is articulate and easy to listen to. The content is probably one of the hardest listens I’ve had, it’s actually very emotionally and mentally upsetting and I will continue to think about it for a long time. The first 2/6 episodes are disarming compared to the other 4 as they are mostly an introduction into the story and it gets heavier after those.
  • JeanFromWash
    Disturbing, necessary, good guy won!
    this is a tough one to listen to, but I am so grateful for people like this in the place and I just have to pray that they’re gonna continue hitting it as hard as they can!
  • K_merr
    Compelling, but wording matters
    Compelling information, great reporting, but I have to say I was so disappointed that even after being confronted with the correction from “child porn” to “child abuse material/websites” the reporter didn’t immediately change his wording.
  • sarahandsylvia
    Great insights
    Good reporting & excellent delivery!
  • namethiefs
    sets the standard
    so well researched and produced. listened to entire series in less than 24 hours.
  • fzrgrl
    Excellent podcast
    Well produced and riveting content. I was hooked on the first episode.
  • Sam Kindall
    Very hard to say I liked this
    I just don’t feel comfortable saying I “enjoyed” a podcast about Child Predator. I felt gross while listening to it
  • Sara B43
    Excellent Journalism
    This podcast is many things: frightening, enlightening, fascinating. The journalism involved is absolutely excellent. Thank you for helping change the name of “child pornography” (which implies complicity/consent) to “child abuse material” (which is what it truly is). I also appreciate the follow up on the criminal matter!
  • orenishiii
    🙏
    Thank you
  • relhorseluver
    Best podcast I’ve ever listened to
    Extremely well made with an utterly fascinating, if sickening, story. I binged it in two days. Highly recommended for anyone that likes true crime podcasts.
  • A loyal fan from the 305
    Incredible but intense
    This is one of the best made podcasts I’ve heard. So well narrated and researched. The graphic material made me physically nauseous at times but I pushed through. Wow. Just wow.
  • Ncllnn
    I love you
    This is not for the quality of the this podcast or content, which is outstanding, this is because these humans are doing something so amazing it makes me heart weep. You group of people are the most beautiful people on this planet. Thank you for what you are doing. Your podcast has brought light to the horrors that exist in the dark corners of earth that we seem to close our eyes to. Thank you with all my heart
  • GothamGargoyle
    Exceptional work in a very dark field
    Daemon Fairless tackled this horrible topic with the utmost tact and professionalism, taking great care to focus on the victims rather than the offenders whenever possible. He don’t allow the monsters to seal the focus of the discussion and sought advice from the best experts. He illustrated the vast distinction between a remorseless, self serving psychopathic child rapist like Benjamin Faulkner and pedophiles who never offend but do WHATEVER IT TAKES to keep their monster in a cage. Whatever it takes. Including suicide. The fact is, civilized society does not have a “punishment” that fits these horrific crimes against children. Particularly given the SCALE of these abuses and the heartbreaking age of the children. The investigators have my deepest respect and admiration. I could not possibly do it without becoming Dexter Morgan.
  • 99socks99
    Gripping
    This is hard to listen to but an important topic. Super glad it’s not any more graphic than necessary.
  • rissyroo703
    Phenomenal
    Fantastic delivery. Hands down the best podcast I have listened to despite the difficult nature of the case. With so much information! So many great interviews too I just love this. Good job everyone who was involved.
  • SassyDC
    AMAZING!
    I love that there’s a full deep dive. The way you told the story from every possible perspective. “Jens” bravery was inspiring. Her last statement and her respect for the task force that kept the site up shows how much of an amazing empowering female she is.
  • My Olive Tree
    Difficult Subject Matter, Handled Well
    It’s hard to listen to this podcast and I’m still not sure I want to know the things I heard here. It does make me want to help and do something about this problem.
  • Chaunces
    Illuminated the darkness
    ‘The eye can not see what the mind does not know.’ This podcast helps us to know, and therefore better recognize potential child predators in our midst. Bravo!
  • M H Schambach
    Excellent. Dark but excellent
    Great show. Very dark but excellent. We’ll worth the listen!
  • Faniadv
    Excellent
    I wonder ...if while in DC they were followed how is it that he was able to rape that little girl and police didn’t stop him. By far one of the best investigative reports turned into a podcast.
  • T-Duv
    Wow….
    Amazing podcast. It’s done in such a way that keeps you invested and introduces aspects of pedophilia that you’ll have never recognized before. At least for me. Yes hard to listen to but so necessary! To the person who stopped listening just because one of the advertisements was a pro choice one….give me a break. Can we not be mature adults here who can disregard opinions and values that may not line up with ours so that we can learn about such important subject matter such as the ones presented in this one. Don’t let that comment deter you folks.
  • twxt
    Ruined a great podcast with the this episode!
    Ruined
  • diostebendiga91
    No
    I was going to listen to your podcast until the first advertisement that popped up was an advertisement for a pro-life organization. Sorry but no. I don’t know why you would need to advertise something like that on there. It’s one thing to advertise games or clothing or furniture etc., but yeah that advertisement completely turned me off of this podcast immediately.
  • Hnnhvw
    Disturbing but eye opening
    I just finished Hunting Warhead and I feel sick to my stomaxh. But this needed to be done and talked about. It’s very well done.
  • thea.monahan
    Powerful
    My favorite murder referred me here. I’m so heartbroken for the children and families and in awe of these investigators. Great production and amazing efforts by all.
  • IpadUserJG
    The best true crime podcast
    I finished it feeling a sense of sadness that I will not hear another podcast this good for a very long time.
  • cariad8196
    Great listen!
    I really enjoyed this podcast. Very well done on a subject matter that is disturbing without going into details - which no one needs to hear. I like that they talked with those who knew Warhead and how it affected them. You never hear about the fallout or the aftermath. Very well done!
  • zinnowinno
    Excellent work
    Horrific and painful to hear about but expertly narrated and the production was top-notch. Among the top 5 podcasts I’ve ever listened to.
  • Diamonds and Rust
    Fascinating
    Hard to listen to at times but incredibly well done.
  • alhann
    Really really good
    It felt slow in the beginning but turned out to be such an educational journey. Takes you into a world that most of us don’t understand at all. I cannot believe this case did not get more media coverage. Also hearing the perpetrator talk openly when not in court is a wake up call for the rest of us.
  • Mammamia5
    A story that needs told!
    This is not for the faint hearted out there, but for those of us who were victimized as children, it’s a hopeful march towards justice! Daemon does an incredible job balancing a tough subject without backing down from the facts. A must listen!
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