In the realm of podcasts, true crime stands out as a captivating genre, offering a blend of mystery, drama, and primal fear. For those who crave the thrill of cold cases and red herrings, here are 15 of the most gripping true-crime podcasts to tune into:
1. Culpable
Hosted by former University of Texas journalism students Tinu Thomas and Haley Butler, Culpable delves into the tragic murder of 21-year-old Jennifer Cave, whose brutally murdered body was found in her apartment in August 2005. Through exclusive interviews and transcripts, the podcast reconstructs the events leading up to the crime, shedding light on the investigation and the aftermath.
2. Maine! Connecticut! Massachusetts!
Investigative journalist Kylie Low guides listeners through chilling cases from the quaint and serene settings of Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. From unsolved murders to missing persons and survivor stories, each episode delves into the intricate details of these cases, exploring the impact on victims’ families and communities.
3. Bear Brook
In the heart of Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire, a series of grim discoveries unfolds. New Hampshire Public Radio host Jason Moon dissects the decades-long cold case, uncovering the identity of victims and the chilling connection to a serial murderer.
4. In the Dark
Award-winning investigative journalism podcast In the Dark returns with its gripping second season, focusing on the case of Curtis Flowers, a man who was tried six times for the same crime in Mississippi.
5. Mr. Apology
In the early ’80s, a phone number was posted across New York City, inviting strangers to confess their secrets via voicemail. What began as a social experiment transformed into an unsettling journey into the dark recesses of the human psyche. Marissa, the keeper of these secrets, shares the eerie recordings, revealing the toll it took on her.
6. Uncover: The Village
Dive into the mysterious disappearance of Marion Barter, the former wife of Australian soccer great Johnny Warren. This podcast examines the bizarre circumstances surrounding her vanishing, exploring the unresolved questions and the profound loss felt by her loved ones.
7. Corpus: The Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier
Investigate the unsolved murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, whose body was found near her holiday home in 1996. Through interviews with family members, locals, and law enforcement officials, this podcast explores the intricate web of suspicion and the ongoing quest for justice.
8. Framed
Examine the case of Michelle Schofield, whose husband was convicted of her murder in 1987. However, new evidence emerges, linking a violent criminal to the crime, raising doubts about the original verdict.
9. Dr. Death
This six-episode podcast from Pushkin Industries delves into the life and crimes of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon who performed a series of disastrous operations, leaving patients injured or paralyzed.
10. Crime Junkie
Hosts Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat delve into the most compelling and mysterious true crime cases, including the murder of Loren Donn Leslie and the chilling story of “the cards.”
11. The Vanished
Crime Junkie’s Ashley Flowers uncovers some of the coldest unsolved cases through the faces on playing cards. By distributing these cards throughout prisons, investigators hope inmates may come forward with crucial information.
12. Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders
On Valentine’s Day in 2017, two teenage girls were found murdered near a hiking trail in Delphi, Indiana. This podcast revisits the tragic story, analyzing the evidence and the ongoing search for the killer.
13. The Dropout
The rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of disgraced medical tech company Theranos, is recounted in this podcast. It delves into her toxic mix of ambition and hubris, as well as the consequences of her actions.
14. Broken Harts
In a chilling twist on the true crime formula, this podcast features April Balascio, the daughter of a serial killer. She unravels the disturbing crimes committed by her father and the trauma inflicted on her family.
15. Who Killed Garrett Phillips?
This narrative podcast explores the unsolved murder of Garrett Phillips, a 12-year-old boy who was found dead in his Colorado home in 2010. The podcast examines the investigation, the suspects, and the lingering questions surrounding the case.
