Cold, bloody murder, missing without a trace, new leads emerge, a twist no one saw coming, the investigation took a shocking turn, a chilling discovery, case remains unsolved, and the case that gripped the nation., From documentaries to podcasts, true crime stories continue to capture people’s interest. But with so many options out there it raises the question; where should a true crime fan start? With a compiled lineup of must-watch shows, binge-worthy podcasts, and thrilling documentaries, these recommendations will deliver the genre’s suspense.
The “Scamanda” podcast, hosted by Charlie Webster, dives into the astonishing story of Amanda Riley, a devoted Christian and charming woman who tricked her blog audience into believing she was battling cancer. The podcast unravels how Riley, a wife, mother, and blogger, faked her illness online by inspiring others and manipulating her countless followers and donors. The narrative takes listeners through Riley’s web of lies, the impact on her family and friends, and the investigation that led to her conviction. Shortly after the release of the popular podcast, “Scamanda” became a new television show that visually highlights the podcast’s information. Plan accordingly because there is no pushing pause once “Scamada” is started.
2. “Horrific Chris Watts Family Murders”
The “Horrific Christ Watts Family Murders” podcast by the Megyn Kelly Show focuses on the devastating story of the Watts family murders. Megyn Kelly tackles the chilling case of Chris Watts, who murdered his pregnant wife and their two younger daughters in 2018. The episode addresses the psychological aspects of Chris Watts’s actions and reflects upon the threats faced by a seemingly ordinary individual.
“Podcasts are a nice, successful way for people to consume true crime because they can be running, cleaning, walking, whatever,” True Crime Literature teacher Laura Cunningham said. “I think that that’s one of the reasons why they’re so popular. In the world in which we live today, students are all about being efficient and multitasking. So that’s just one more layer to it, which is why I really like that.”
For a more in-depth explanation, the Netflix documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door, directed by Jenny Popplewell, offers a look into the events leading up to the tragedy. The film uses actual footage and videos to provide a close, detailed perspective on the case. Together, the podcast episode and the Netflix documentary provide insight into the case and offer the audience a deeper understanding of the factors that led to the murders.
Dateline NBC covers the story “The Thing About Pam,” a podcast about the murder of Besty Faria and the investigation that led to her friend Pam’s involvement. The podcast highlights the unexpected twists in the case and provides listeners with an in-depth look into the investigation. For those who prefer a visual true-crime experience, “The Thing About Pam” provides an overview of the case that features interviews and details of the intense legal battle.
Dateline NBC is known for its investigative work and in-depth storytelling. Since its release in 1992, the show has covered many cases, including high-profile murders, disappearances, and false convictions.
“I like Dateline shows. I think they are interesting, and I like how fast-paced they are and the amount of episodes there are,” freshman Nora Marsh said.
4. “American Murder: Gabby Petito”
“American Murder: Gabby Petito” is a three-part Netflix documentary series that investigates the tragic events surrounding the disappearance and death of 22-year-old travel vlogger Gabby Petito.
“The new Gabby Petito documentary is good. There’s a lot of information about that case, so it’s easy to start with,” Marsh said. “I like that it’s a memorial of the people who died. And it’s not just for entertainment.”
With an emotional narrative, this documentary offers a captivating look at the case that sparked national conversations and is #3 on Netflix shows today.
“Worst Roommate Ever” is a Netflix series that explores the nightmare scenarios of people whose seemingly harmless roommates are real-life nightmares.
Freshman Victoria Witmer described the show’s premise. “You get a roommate you have never met or need to move in somewhere. They end up not being the person they say they were,” Witmer said.
Each episode tells the shocking true stories of people who thought they had a normal roommate but soon discovered the dark secrets they were hiding.
“How can such an innocent person be not who you think they are? And how do you know how to pick it out roomates if you’re ever in this situation,” Witmer said.
“10 Minute Murder” is a true crime podcast that delivers concise and fascinating stories about notable murder cases. Each episode briefly explores various crimes, which is ideal for listeners looking for quick true-crime content.
“If you like a quick one, there are 10-minute podcasts. They’re very interesting. So we start with one {in the true crime literature class} with Betsy and the stacks at Penn State,” True Crime Literature teacher Beth Camerlengo said.
The “Stabbed in the Stacks” episode examines the 1969 murder of Betsy Aardsma, who was stabbed in a Penn State library. Despite the case remaining unsolved, the episode explores the crime and the challenges investigators faced.
“The Menendez Brothers” documentary, directed by Alejandro Hartmann, emphasizes the infamous case of Lyle and Eric Menendez, who were convicted for the murder of their parents. The film offers an in-depth examination of the family dynamics and trials that capture the nation’s attention.
“Last semester, when we talked about the Menendez brothers and the Netflix documentary that came out, and my kids were all riled up,” True Crime Literature teacher Andrea Kling said.
Students who are true crime fans should consider taking the English True Crime Literature class offered.
Camerlengo shares what students do in the class. “They create a podcast, so that’s the last unit. They research a crime or a criminal and use that information to create and record their podcast,” Camerlengo said.
Cunningham explains the specifics of the end of year project.“It is really fun because they get to develop their inquiry question, figure out what they’re going to research, develop a podcast name, write the script and create something tangible that we can then play for the class,” said Cunningham.
Kling shares what students do in the class beyond the podcast project. “Aside from the podcast, we do a poster, where they pick a criminal, research it, and dig into the motives and why people commit crimes. I think my students enjoyed this one because they like seeing the psychology,” said Kling.
True crime continues to capture audiences, and these documentaries, podcasts, and shows offer a glimpse into the many cases covered by the genre. From deep investigative series to fast-paced, binge-worthy crime retellings, there is something out there for every true crime fan.
