Documentary filmmaker Philip Cairney joined us for an interview to discuss his compelling new three-part HBO Original docuseries The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story.
Executive produced by Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn, the series dives into the gruesome 1985 murder of Dorothy Thompson in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. After Thompson went missing, her body was found floating in the Mississippi River. However, the investigation quickly went cold. Furthermore, the cemetery grounds carried an eerie local reputation, shrouding the tragedy in haunting folklore and rumors of restless spirits.
Lost Evidence, Natural Disaster, and Unconventional Leads
Years after the initial investigation stalled, Hurricane Katrina devastated local police archives. It destroyed crucial crime scene evidence and primary case reports. As a result, reopening the cold case without a paper trail forced investigators to rely on unconventional leads. That included a key informant who claimed to be haunted by Thompson’s ghost. And a forgotten 1985 psychic sketch that matched an original suspect. Ultimately, Cairney explores Thompson’s complex life. He uncovers hidden personal secrets that raise fresh questions about her death and whether her spirit helped solve the case.
A Cursed Place
Thompson’s home and the pet Cemetery have long been rumored to be cursed. The soil has long been stained by blood. Native Americans used the grounds as a burial site. A mass murder on the property followed that. And as if that wasn’t enough, the land saw multiple murders in modern time. That includes the deaths of several of Thompson’s husbands. And to this day, people still report seeing Thompson’s spirit roaming the property.
Director Insights Ahead of the HBO Premiere
Known for acclaimed projects like Andy Warhol’s America, director Philip Cairney brings a distinct atmospheric lens to this chilling mystery. As the docuseries debuts, Cairney shares how he navigated Louisiana folklore and pieced together lost evidence.
True-crime enthusiasts can stream “The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story” when it officially premieres on HBO on October 11.
