Operation Night Cat

A Christmas tree farmer with dementia disappears. His wife never reports him missing. Can anyone find out why?

A Private Matter is a five-part series from Bear Brook about what happens when family estrangement and the growing dementia crisis conspire to create an epic tragedy of humble proportions, spawning a criminal investigation and a supernatural search for answers.

A Private Matter is the third season of Bear Brook, the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio hosted by Jason Moon. Bear Brook is a production of NHPR's Document team.
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Since we first brought you this series in November 2025, there have been two big updates. Host Nate Hegyi sits down with producer Jason Moon to explain.
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Episode 3: A Duck’s a Duck

Two sets of potential crimes, investigated by more than five sets of law enforcement agencies. Why most of them never took a shot at accountability.

“Operation Night Cat” is a special three-part series from NHPR’s ⁠⁠⁠Document ⁠⁠⁠team and ⁠⁠⁠Outside/In⁠⁠, and is only possible because of listener support. ⁠⁠Click here to support independent, investigative journalism. ⁠⁠

For a full list of credits and transcript, visit outsideinradio.org.

To hear more of Document's investigative journalism, including their three-part series on New Hampshire's YDC scandal, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

To hear more of Outside/In, NHPR's weekly show where curiosity and the natural world collide (including the three-part series, The Underdogs) subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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Episode 2: Behind the Brick Wall

The poaching investigation takes a surprising turn when it reveals another set of potential crimes – this time, behind the brick walls of New Hampshire’s State Prison for Men.

“Operation Night Cat” is a special three-part series from NHPR’s ⁠⁠Document ⁠⁠team and ⁠⁠Outside/In⁠, and is only possible because of listener support. ⁠Click here to support independent, investigative journalism. ⁠

For a full list of credits and transcript, visit outsideinradio.org.

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Episode 1: Why Did the Deer Cross the Road? 

A New Hampshire Fish and Game warden follows a tip to a man’s backyard. He finds a twisted game of one-upmanship with digital trophy rooms.

“Operation Night Cat” is a special three-part series from NHPR’s ⁠Document ⁠team and ⁠Outside/In, and is only possible because of listener support. Click here to support independent, investigative journalism. 

For a full list of credits and transcript, visit outsideinradio.org.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices