I’ve been obsessed with scary movies, serial killers and crime shows for as long as I can remember (thanks, mom). So it’s very convenient for me that being a true crime addict is trendy right now. As far as podcasts go, my story isn’t unique — I binged Serial Season 1 like most of America and was hooked.
There are hundreds, maybe thousands of true crime podcasts out there. What have you listened to and loved that I’m missing from my list? Comment below and I’ll it to my queue.
In alphabetical order, here are 30 true crime podcasts to kill time during your commute … or while you’re running errands, getting ready for work or doing mundane household chores:
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1. 22 Hours: An American Nightmare
An in-depth look at the brutal torture and murder of the Savopoulos family. On May 14, 2015, a man driving through an upscale D.C. neighborhood spotted smoke pouring out of a home and called authorities. Inside, firefighters discovered the bodies of Savvas & Amy Savopoulos, their son Philip and their housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroa. Listen as the police investigation focuses in on a suspect and lawyers plead their cases in court.
There are 12 episodes, each 45 minutes to an hour + 20 minutes long.
2. Atlanta Monster
Since I live in Atlanta, this one hit home for me; my boyfriend even grew up very close to where this all went down.
In Atlanta Monster, host Payne Lindsey takes an in-depth look at the “Atlanta child murders”, which occurred between 1979-1981 and included more than 25 victims. Lindsey also dives into the underlying racial tensions that plagued the case and interviews people on both sides of the debate – was the true killer caught or is an innocent man in prison for another man’s crimes?
There are 8 true episodes and 8 bonus episodes, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour long.
3. Cold
“Susan Powell vanished on Dec. 7, 2009. Her body has never been found. From the beginning, West Valley City, Utah police suspected Susan’s husband, Josh Powell, had murdered her. They never arrested him. COLD dives deep into the case files, uncovering never-before-heard details. You’ll learn why Susan stayed with an abusive husband, why Josh did what he did and how the justice system failed Susan and her two boys.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 18 episodes each a little under an hour long.
4. Crime Junkie
“Every Monday, Ashley Flowers will tell you about whatever crime she’s been obsessing over that week in a way that sounds like you’re sitting around talking crime with your best friends. The storytelling is straightforward and free of rabbit holes so the cases stay suspenseful and are easy to follow.” – description taken directly from podcast website
There are currently 104 episodes each about 30 minutes to an hour long.
5. Criminal
This podcast covers a wide range of topics – not just murder but anything that falls into the category of a crime. The topics are always interesting, but to be honest, even if the content was trash I’d still listen because the sound of host’s Pheobe Judge’s voice is out of this world.
As of the date of this blog post, there are 125 episodes, however each episode is a standalone story so you don’t have to go back and start at the beginning. Criminal releases 2 episodes per month.
6. Dirty John
“Debra Newell is a successful interior designer. She meets John Meehan, a handsome man who seems to check all the boxes: attentive, available, just back from a year in Iraq with Doctors Without Borders. But her family doesn’t like John, and they get entangled in an increasingly complex web of love, deception, forgiveness, denial, and ultimately, survival. Reported and hosted by Christopher Goffard from the L.A. Times.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 7 true episodes, each around 45 minutes long. There are also 3 short bonus episodes (15 min) relating to the TV show.
7. Dr. Death
“Christopher Duntsch was a neurosurgeon who radiated confidence. He claimed he was the best in Dallas. If you had back pain, and had tried everything else, Dr. Duntsch could give you the spine surgery that would take your pain away.
But soon his patients started to experience complications, and the system failed to protect them. Which begs the question: who – or what – is that system meant to protect?” – description taken directly from podcast
The Texas surgeon was eventually convicted of gross malpractice after thirty-one of his patients were left seriously injured and two died due to his operations.
There are 10 episodes each around 40 minutes or less.
8. Felonious Florida
“Beyond the beaches, the theme parks, the palm trees and the warm breezes lies the dark side of the Sunshine State.” – description taken directly from podcast
I had a hard time following this podcast when I first listened to it, but now that there is a chunk of episodes out it should be easier to follow along. There have been four stories told so far: the Nickelodeon murders, the Encino Murders, the Disappearance of Lisa Spence and the Killer Clown of Wellington.
Each of the 8 episodes is 30-55 minutes long.
9. Happy Face
“For Melissa Moore, 1995 was a nightmare. That’s the year the teenager learned her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, was a serial killer. It’s also the year Melissa Moore’s doubt spiral began: When you look like your father, and you share his intelligence and charisma, how do you know you’re not a psychopath, too? Happy Face is the story of Keith Hunter Jesperson, his brutal crimes, and the cat and mouse game he played with detectives and the media. But it’s also the story of the horrific legacy he gifted his children. Join Melissa Moore as she investigates her father’s crimes, reckons with the past, and wades through her darkest fears as she hunts for a better future.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 12 episodes, each 30-45 minutes long.
10. Hollywood & Crime
New episodes of Hollywood & Crime are now exclusively available on the Luminary platform, however Seasons 1 & 2 are still available on iTunes.
The first 26 episodes dive into the ugly underside of the otherwise glamorous Hollywood scene in the early 20th century. Host Tracy Pattin explores the infamous Black Dahlia murder and 7 other similar murders that occurred during the same time period.
Season 2’s six episode arc called ‘Young Charlie’ focuses on Charles Manson’s childhood up through his murders and trial.
11. Jensen & Holes: The Murder Squad
“Retired Cold Case Investigator Paul Holes and Investigative Journalist Billy Jensen dig deep into unsolved murders, unidentified remains and missing persons cases. Each week listeners ride shotgun as Holes and Jensen attempt to solve the crime using a variety of methods, from old-fashioned detective work to advanced technologies including familial DNA searches, social media geotargeting, and maybe most important—the skills of their listeners who send in tips and theories, becoming active members of The Murder Squad.” – description taken directly from podcast
This is a newer podcast with only 30 episodes, but I’ve really enjoyed it so far. Each episode is standalone (with the exception of a couple two-parters), so you can jump in anywhere and be ok. It’s not exactly a spin-off or off-shoot from My Favorite Murder but we do owe the MFM ladies some credit for the creation of this podcast.
12. My Favorite Murder
Every Thursday comedians Karen and Georgia each present their “favorite” murder of the week. High-grade, in-depth research is rare but the laughs are guaranteed and frequent. “Minisodes” in which the ladies read listener submissions of their “hometown murders” are released on Tuesdays. Diehard listeners are referred to as “murderinos” and the show’s tagline is “Stay sexy, don’t get murdered.” I’ve listened to every episode of MFM and have even gotten my mom addicted to it too.
Already a murderino? Catch Karen & Georgia live on stage!
13. Not Another True Crime Podcast
“Betches Media presents a podcast for people who love all types of sketchy things—from cults to conspiracy theories to, of course, crime—with a healthy dose of irreverent humor. Your co-hosts, Sara Levine, Casey Balsham, and Danny Murphy give the lowdown on one morbidly fascinating topic per episode. They’ll present the facts of each case, punctuated with jokes and side tangents, along with their own personal theories. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt… and that’s where Not Another True Crime Podcast comes in.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 48 episodes, most just under an hour, and each one covers a standalone topic so you don’t have to start all the way back at episode 1 unless you just really want to.
14. Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia
This podcast explores one of the most famous unsolved murders in U.S. history – the murder of Elizabeth Smart in 1947, aka The Black Dahlia.
“Many believe Dr. George Hodel was the killer, thanks to an investigation by Hodel’s own son. But murder is just part of the Hodel family story, one filled with horrifying secrets that ripple across generations. Now, through never-before-heard archival audio and first-time interviews, the Hodel family opens up to reveal their shocking story. […] Root of Evil is the companion podcast to TNTs limited series I Am the Night.” – description taken directly from podcast
Each of the 8 episodes is between 35 minutes to an hour long.
15. S-Town
“S-Town is […] about a man named John who despises his Alabama town and decides to do something about it. He asks [host] Brian to investigate the son of a wealthy family who’s allegedly been bragging that he got away with murder. But when someone else ends up dead, the search for the truth leads to a nasty feud, a hunt for hidden treasure, and an unearthing of the mysteries of one man’s life.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 7 episodes ranging 45 minutes to an hour long.
16. Serial
I owe my love of true crime to my mother, but I owe my love of true crime podcasts to Serial Season 1. A few years ago, a friend suggested I try it out on a long drive I had coming up. I ended up binging the entire season in just a few short days. I’ve listened to a lot of true crime podcasts over the years (obviously) but this one is still my all-time favorite. If you haven’t heard Season 1 yet, drop what you’re doing right now and give it a listen. Then let me know what you think: is Adnan innocent or guilty?
To be honest, I couldn’t really get into Season 2 (it’s about a soldier held captive by the Taliban for 5 years; is he a patriot or a traitor?) but I’ve enjoyed Season 3 (an enlightening, but sometimes frustrating, deep-dive into Cleveland’s criminal justice system).
17. Small Town Murder
“Two comedians look at a small town, what makes it tick, and a murder that took place there. In depth research, horrible tragedy, and the hosts’ comedic spin on the whole thing.” – description taken directly from podcast
I like the in-depth look at the town covered in each episode – demographics, economy, size and population, etc. It’s an original take I haven’t experienced in any of the other podcasts.
As of the this blog post, there are 142 episode of STM. Each episode is standalone so you can jump in anywhere; I decided to start waayyy back at episode 1; I’m now on #24, so I’ve got a ways to go.
18. Someone Knows Something
As the title of this podcast indicates, in any unsolved crime there’s always someone who knows something important – whether they realize it or not, whether they’re scared to come forward, whether they’re protecting someone, etc.
Season 1 (11 episodes) explores the case of Adrien McNaughton, a five-year-old Canadian boy who went missing on June 12, 1972.
Season 2 (12 episodes) follows the disappearance of Sheryl Sheppard in Ontario in 1998.
Season 3 (7 episodes) tells the story of how the 1964 murders of Charles Moore and Henry Dee in Mississipi were reopened more than 4 decades later.
Season 4 (5 episodes) looks at the flashlight bomb murder of Wayne Greavette on December 12th, 1996.
Season 5 (11 episodes) covers the disappearance of 15-year-old Kerrie Brown in 1986.
19. Sword and Scale
Sword and Scale’s tagline: “A show that reveals that the worst monsters are real.”
I go back and forth on how I feel about this podcast. The host, Mike Boudet, isn’t my favorite and the storytelling can be too sensational at times. I do listen to this podcast every week, but only when I’ve gone through all my other subscriptions and have nothing left.
There are currently 152 standalone episodes available, meaning you can jump in anywhere and won’t feel lost.
20. The Drop Out
“The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos is an unbelievable tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. How did the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire lose it all in the blink of an eye? How did the woman once heralded as ‘the next Steve Jobs’ find herself facing criminal charges — to which she pleaded not guilty — and up to 20 years in jail? How did her technology, meant to revolutionize healthcare, potentially put millions of patients at risk? And how did so many smart people get it so wrong along the way? ABC News chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, along with producers Taylor Dunn and Victoria Thompson, take listeners on a journey that includes a three-year-long investigation. You’ll hear exclusive interviews with former employees, investors, and patients, and for the first-time, the never-before-aired deposition testimony of Elizabeth Holmes, and those at the center of this story.” – description taken directly from podcast
There’s no murder here, but this story is so compelling it’s worth the 6-episode investment.
21. The Fall Line
The Fall Line “digs deep into cold cases that have received little — if any — public attention. We focus on unsolved murders and disappearances in the Southeastern United States, particularly cases involving communities marginalized by mainstream media or investigation.
Seasons include longform coverage of disappearances, like those of Shy’Kemmia Pate, the Millbrook twins, and Raymond Green, and also single episodes devoted to unsolved murders — including those of Robert Martin and Elia Banderas [… and] deep dives into cases of the unidentified, like Julie Doe and the Jenkins County Jane Doe, and looks at the cutting-edge science and technology that could give them back their names.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are currently 33 episodes ranging 30 minutes to an hour long.
22. The Teacher’s Pet
This podcast is one of my favorites – the narration, story-telling and premise are all on-point.
“Lyn and Chris Dawson appear to have the perfect marriage. He’s a star footballer and popular high school teacher. She’s a devoted wife and mother. They share a beautiful home above Sydney’s northern beaches. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder. The Australian’s Hedley Thomas digs deep into a cold case which has been unsolved for 36 years, uncovering startling new evidence.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 16 episodes around an hour each. It’s a big time commitment, but it’s definitely worth it.
23. The Wonderland Murders
The Wonderland murders, aka the Four on the Floor Murders and the Laurel Canyon Murders, are four unsolved murders that occurred in Los Angeles on July 1, 1981.
“Journey back to 1981, when four people were brutally murdered in their home in the Hollywood Hills. The Wonderland Murders is the tale of a violent home invasion robbery and the revenge rampage that followed. It involves a drug-fueled gang of criminals, a crazed crime kingpin — and the world’s most famous porn star on a downward and deadly spiral.” – description taken directly from podcast
Each of the six episodes are under an hour long.
24. To Live and Die in LA
In February 2018, Albanian Macedonian aspiring actress Adea Shabani disappeared from her Hollywood apartment complex, where she was last seen with her boyfriend Chris Spotz. Host Neil Strauss works alongside private investigator Jayden Brant to interview the couple’s friends and family members and uncover the truth behind what happened to Adea.
There are 12 regular episodes ranging 30 minutes to an hour long and three 30-minute bonus episodes.
25. Today in True Crime
Today in True Crime delivers quick little nuggets of true crime history. Episodes are released daily and are only about 15 minutes each.
“It might be the anniversary of an important case being solved, the end of a landmark trial, or a serial killer’s birthday– whatever the date, there’s no ordinary day in true crime history.” – description taken directly from podcast
26. True Crime Garage
“Each week Nic and the Captain fire up the true crime garage flying ship fueled with beer, great discussion and listener participation. The garage covers a new case each week from headline news to local real life horror stories. Discussions about Serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and BTK, cold cases like Jonbenet Ramsy, OJ Simpson and the Zodiac, disappearances, missing persons and unsolved mysteries are all on tap along with craft beers from all over the world. If you like to kick back and have a little fun with your true crime then this show is for you and your friends.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are over 345 episodes each about an hour long, so good thing each one is. astan
27. Uncover
So far, I’ve only listened to Season 4: The Cat Lady Case. Because, well, it had “cat lady” in the title. So I can’t vouch for season 1-3 or season 5. But …
The Cat Lady Case explores the 1998 disappearance of 77-year-old Joan Lawrence from Huntsville, Ontario. At the time of her disappearance, Lawrence was living, with her approximately 30 cats, in an 8×10 shed that had no insulation, running water or electricity, and cost her over $700 a month. While investigating her disappearance, police found almost all of her cats had been shot and killed.
Season 4 consists of 6 episodes each around 40 minus long.
28. Unspeakable Crime: The Killing of Jessica Chambers
“When 19-year old Jessica Chambers is horrifically murdered, set on fire in her car, her rural Mississippi community is rocked. As investigators work to figure out who could have done this and why, there’s an onslaught of online sleuths digitally descending on this grieving community wreaking havoc and placing blame. Finally, after a 14-month investigation, there’s a surprise arrest and trial of the accused with an ending that sends shockwaves once again.” – description taken directly from podcast
Each of the 6 episodes is around 40 minutes long.
29. Up and Vanished
This is the second podcast from Atlanta filmmaker Payne Lindsey to make this list (the other being Atlanta Monster).
Season 1 covers the unsolved (at the time!) disappearance of high school teacher and beauty queen Tara Grinstead from her home of Ocilla, Georgia.
Season 2 looks at the disappearance of 29-year-old mother Kristal Reisinger from the remote mountain town of Crestone, Colorado in 2016.
30. White Lies
“In 1965, Rev. James Reeb was murdered in Selma, Alabama. Three men were tried and acquitted, but no one was ever held to account. Fifty years later, two journalists from Alabama return to the city where it happened, expose the lies that kept the murder from being solved and uncover a story about guilt and memory that says as much about America today as it does about the past.” – description taken directly from podcast
There are 7 episodes about an hour long each.
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I love this list and I listen to some of them. My favorite is Small Town Murder.
I just found a new podcast called Love and Murder. The sound quality is ok but the content is great in my opinion. 🤷♀️
It’s called Love and Murder. http://www.murderandlove.com
Thanks for the recommendation! Adding it to my queue now! 🙂