Searching for Susy Thunder

The article “Searching for Susy Thunder” by Claire L. Evans profiles Susan Headley, a tall, striking woman who became one of the most notable female figures in the early Los Angeles hacker and phone phreaker scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Known as Susan Thunder, she leveraged exceptional social engineering skills—often using charm, impersonation, and seduction over the phone—to manipulate systems, gain unauthorized access, and pull off elaborate scams. Headley ran with infamous hackers like Kevin Mitnick and Lewis DePayne, participated in phone network disruptions, appeared on national TV demonstrating their techniques, and even testified before the U.S. Senate, before abruptly vanishing from public life.

Drawing on interviews and research, the piece explores Headley’s traumatic childhood, her escape into the Hollywood rock scene as a teenage groupie, and how she channeled a need for control and power into hacking. It details her complex relationships within the underground community, dramatic feuds, and later eclectic pursuits (such as poker and coin dealing). The author recounts her own persistent, months-long search to locate the reclusive Headley, painting a nuanced portrait of a brilliant, resilient woman who subverted hacker stereotypes and then chose to step away from the spotlight.