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True Crime

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Why True Crime Still Feels Impossible to Turn Off

True crime is a strange comfort. People listen while washing dishes, driving to work, or walking the dog, even when the story itself is awful. That contradiction is exactly why the genre keeps growing. It turns fear into a timeline, gives danger a narrator, and lets audiences look at real harm from a distance that still feels manageable. What True Crime Gives Viewers and Listeners The appeal is not just shock. For many people, true crime answers emotional and practical needs at the same time. Safety: hearing what went wrong can feel like preparation. Mastery: clues, motives, and court details create a puzzle with stakes. Emotional release: fear and anger arrive inside a controlled story. Connection: podcast hosts and fan communities make the experience social. This helps explain why women are often central to the audience. CBS News has reported on why women are drawn to true crime podcasts, noting that the genre is not only entertainment, but also a

Continue reading →
Ella Rebecca Horton
Aug 19, 2026

Unearthing the Darkness: True Crime Thriller ‘Gaskins: The Hitchhiker Killer’ Arrives This August

True crime enthusiasts are about to get an unsparing look into the life of one of South Carolina’s most infamous monsters. From Quiver Distribution comes Gaskins: The Hitchhiker Killer. This haunting 94-minute feature blends true crime, horror, and thriller elements to chronicle the dark legacy of Donald “Pee-Wee” Gaskins. He’s a prolific killer whose terrifying crimes spanned decades before justice finally caught up with him. The Twisted History of a South Carolina Horror Long before he was exposed as a cold-blooded killer, Gaskins built a criminal record marred by assault and burglary convictions. However, his violence escalated into a murderous spree involving stabbing, shooting, drowning, and poisoning. He killed more than a dozen victims across the American South. The horrifying extent of his crimes came to light when law enforcement discovered eight bodies buried in shallow graves near his home. This began to unravel a nightmare that shocked the entire nation. An Ensemble Cast and Creative Team Behind the Nightmare

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 12, 2026

Netflix’s True Crime Series “Conversations with a Killer” Ends with “The Charles Manson Tapes” and Never-Before-Seen Footage

Created and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger, the acclaimed series “Conversations with a Killer” has spent years dissectinghistory’ss most terrifying minds through rare audio recordings, archival footage, and firsthand accounts. Following deep dives into Ted Bundy (2019), John Wayne Gacy (2022), Jeffrey Dahmer (2022), and Son of Sam (2025), the franchise reaches its definitive end on August 12 by confronting the cult leader who permanently alteredAmerica’ss media landscape. The Architect of Helter Skelter While Charles Mansonwasn’tt a hands-on serial killer in the traditional sense, his psychological grip over his followers catalyzed a wave of horrific violence across California during the twilight of the 1960s hippie movement. Headquartering his “Manson Family” on an abandoned movie ranch, Manson orchestrated a spree of brutal killings in 1969—including the tragic murder of actress Sharon Tate. Though he didn’t physically execute the crimes himself, Manson was the mastermind behind the slaughter. His 1971 trial exposed the terrifying extent of his psychological control, resulting

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 8, 2026

Things Get Bloody in the First Look at Ryan Murphy’s “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story”

Sharpen your hatchets and adjust your petticoats. Netflix’s hit true-crime anthology “Monster“ is returning this fall, and Vanity Fair has dropped the official first look at its next grim obsession, “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.” Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the franchise previously dissected Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez Brothers, and Ed Gein. Now, it is turning back the clock to Fall River, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1892. This time, it will explore history’s most famous axe-wielding socialite. An Absolute Killer Ensemble Rising star Ella BeattyA star-studded roster of enablers, victims, and bystanders supports her-studded roster of enablers, victims, and bystanders. Charlie Hunnam (Monster: Ed Gein) returns to the series as Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s tyrannical father. Rebecca Hall, Billie Lour, Vicky Krieps, and Jessica Barden fill out the cast. Because this is a Ryan Murphy project, the casting fever dream doesn’t stop in the 19th century. Sarah Paulson is also slated to appear. How? In a cross-era cameo

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 4, 2026

Unfiltered Evil: ID’s “Signs of a Psychopath” Returns for New Season and Milestone 100th Episode

True-crime bingers, mark your calendars: Investigation Discovery is opening the vault to humanity’s darkest minds once again. The series “Signs of a Psychopath” returns for a brand-new season on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. It will deliver back-to-back episodes at 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM ET/PT on ID (and streaming on Max). Even bigger news for long-time watchers? This season marks the show’s 100th episode milestone. Using raw interrogation footage and the chilling confessions of the killers themselves, the show cuts through the noise. It analyzes the exact moments narcissism, delusion, and depravity curdle into cold-blooded murder. Premiere Night Double Header (August 11) -“I Guess I’m a Maniac” (9:00 PM ET/PT): A Florida cold case regarding a strangled woman goes unsolved for nearly a decade—until a surprise confession unmasks a deviant sexual psychopath fulfilling a dark fantasy. -“I Don’t Belong Here” (9:30 PM ET/PT): A disturbed man readily confesses to slaughtering three generations of his family. As he takes credit for

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 28, 2026

Skin Suits and a Supernatural Spin: ‘Ed Gein: The House of Horrors’ Drops First Trailer

Just when you thought Hollywood had squeezed every drop of notoriety out of America’s most infamous grave robber and killer, indie horror is stepping up to carve out its own piece of the pie. Hot on the heels of the buzz surrounding Netflix’s “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” TAW Entertainment has unveiled the first trailer for its own gruesome take on the “Butcher of Plainfield”: Ed Gein: The House Of Horrors. A Mother’s Love Never Dies (Unfortunately) The film promises a deep dive into the psychological disintegration of Wisconsin’s most notorious hermit. According to the official synopsis: Following the death of his fanatically religious mother, isolated farmer Ed Gein begins hearing her voice guiding him to punish “sinful” women. As grief curdles into obsession, Gein descends into absolute madness—robbing graves, committing murder, and transforming his secluded farmhouse into a literal house of horrors. The trailer kicks off with a group of unsuspecting 20-somethings standing over Gein’s grave, swapping urban legends

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 28, 2026

Investigation Discovery Announces Premieres Including ‘A Killer Among Friends’

True crime fans, it’s time to update your watchlists. Investigation Discovery is rolling out a heavy-hitting July slate, packed with betrayals, body cams, and highly suspicious emergency calls. Leading the charge is the return of the Jennifer Love Hewitt-executive-produced and narrated hit, A Killer Among Friends. There are also fresh seasons of fan-favorites Body Cam and 911: Did the Killer Call? Odds are you will recognize Hewitt from her many roles in the horror/supernatural genre. Before her role in the massive hit series The Ghost Whisperer, she starred in I Know What You Did Last Summer. She also recently returned for the new I Know What You Did Last Summer. Now, she is a series regular on another amazing series, 9-1-1. Here is your breakdown of what’s coming to ID (and streaming on Max) this month. ‘A Killer Among Friends’ (Season 2) Premieres Monday, July 20, 9 PM ET/PT If you think your group chat is dramatic, Jennifer Love Hewitt

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 1, 2026

True Crime Inspired ‘Hell’s Half-Acre’ Getting a Feature Adaptation with a Killer Cast

The Western true-crime novel Hell’s Half-Acre has already garnered awards as a short feature film. Now, the full-length movie version is entering production. Author/producer Nicholas Nicastro has compiled an impressive roster of talent both in front of and behind the Camera. In front of the Camera Cult horror legend Bill Moseley (3 from Hell) is joined by Western icon Grainger Hines (Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Hell on Wheels). Award-winning stage and film actress Hannah Beck (Through Open Doors) also stars alongside off-Broadway and film notable Craig Cartwright (Marilyn Exposed). Newcomer JoHannah James also joins the cast. Behind the Camera Primetime Emmy nominee Marc Henry Johnson (HBO’s The Deuce, The Awful Truth) produces with Emmy winner Travis LaBella serving as cinematographer. Nicastro’s proof-of-concept short film, Hell’s Half-Acre: Sojourn, won Best Indie Short at the LA Indie Shorts Festival, Best Narrative at the Toronto Indie Shorts, an Award of Merit at the IndieFEST Film Awards, and the UK’s Freewheeling Film Award. It

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 25, 2026

Horrific History Comes to Life: ‘731’ is Coming to Blu-ray

The horrific human experimentation conducted by Japan’s covert biological warfare division during World War II remains one of the darkest, most brutal chapters in human history. Shifting away from standard Hollywood blockbusters, Well Go USA Entertainment is bringing this crucial, harrowing, horrific history to home video with the release of 731. Written and directed by Zhao Linshan (The Assassins), the Chinese film anchors its massive historical scope in a deeply intimate, human perspective. The cast features Wu Jiang (Dragon, A Touch of Sin), Zhiwen Wang (Battle of the Warriors), and Naiwen Li (The Adventure). Qian Sun (Three Weddings) and Ziye Lin (My Blue Summer) round out the cast. Suffering and Survival Behind the Wire Set inside the notorious, hidden complex of the Japanese Imperial Army’s Unit 731, the film confronts the reality of prisoners. Victims were held captive and subjected to torturous medical experiments aimed at developing advanced biological and chemical weaponry. At the center of this nightmare is Wang

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 29, 2026

New Documentary ‘Deconstructing Dahlia’ Intends to Name the Killer of Elizabeth Short

Move over, armchair detectives. One of America’s most infamous, deeply haunted Hollywood mysteries might finally be solved: the Black Dahlia murder. Global production company Talestorm has officially announced Deconstructing Dahlia, a true-crime docuseries that tracks a five-year investigation into the 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short—better known as the Black Dahlia. The production team claims they aren’t just recycling old theories. They have uncovered startling new leads, identified a primary suspect, located the definitive crime scene, and are currently leaning hard on the Los Angeles Police Department to hand over secrets they’ve kept under lock and key for nearly 80 years. The Avengers of True Crime This isn’t a couple of podcasters with a microphone. The docuseries follows a heavyweight squad of filmmakers, seasoned investigators, and retired law enforcement royalty who have been living and breathing this case for half a decade. The investigative roster includes: -Steve Cooley (Former Los Angeles County District Attorney) -Lenny DePaul (Retired US Marshal Commander; Hunting

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 20, 2026

More from True Crime

Why True Crime Still Feels Impossible to Turn Off

True crime is a strange comfort. People listen while washing dishes, driving to work, or walking the dog, even when the story itself is awful. That contradiction is exactly why the genre keeps growing. It turns fear into a timeline, gives danger a narrator, and lets audiences look at real harm from a distance that still feels manageable. What True Crime Gives Viewers and Listeners The appeal is not just shock. For many people, true crime answers emotional and practical needs at the same time. Safety: hearing what went wrong can feel like preparation. Mastery: clues, motives, and court details create a puzzle with stakes. Emotional release: fear and anger arrive inside a controlled story. Connection: podcast hosts and fan communities make the experience social. This helps explain why women are often central to the audience. CBS News has reported on why women are drawn to true crime podcasts, noting that the genre is not only entertainment, but also a

Continue reading →
Ella Rebecca Horton
Aug 19, 2026

Unearthing the Darkness: True Crime Thriller ‘Gaskins: The Hitchhiker Killer’ Arrives This August

True crime enthusiasts are about to get an unsparing look into the life of one of South Carolina’s most infamous monsters. From Quiver Distribution comes Gaskins: The Hitchhiker Killer. This haunting 94-minute feature blends true crime, horror, and thriller elements to chronicle the dark legacy of Donald “Pee-Wee” Gaskins. He’s a prolific killer whose terrifying crimes spanned decades before justice finally caught up with him. The Twisted History of a South Carolina Horror Long before he was exposed as a cold-blooded killer, Gaskins built a criminal record marred by assault and burglary convictions. However, his violence escalated into a murderous spree involving stabbing, shooting, drowning, and poisoning. He killed more than a dozen victims across the American South. The horrifying extent of his crimes came to light when law enforcement discovered eight bodies buried in shallow graves near his home. This began to unravel a nightmare that shocked the entire nation. An Ensemble Cast and Creative Team Behind the Nightmare

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 12, 2026

Netflix’s True Crime Series “Conversations with a Killer” Ends with “The Charles Manson Tapes” and Never-Before-Seen Footage

Created and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger, the acclaimed series “Conversations with a Killer” has spent years dissectinghistory’ss most terrifying minds through rare audio recordings, archival footage, and firsthand accounts. Following deep dives into Ted Bundy (2019), John Wayne Gacy (2022), Jeffrey Dahmer (2022), and Son of Sam (2025), the franchise reaches its definitive end on August 12 by confronting the cult leader who permanently alteredAmerica’ss media landscape. The Architect of Helter Skelter While Charles Mansonwasn’tt a hands-on serial killer in the traditional sense, his psychological grip over his followers catalyzed a wave of horrific violence across California during the twilight of the 1960s hippie movement. Headquartering his “Manson Family” on an abandoned movie ranch, Manson orchestrated a spree of brutal killings in 1969—including the tragic murder of actress Sharon Tate. Though he didn’t physically execute the crimes himself, Manson was the mastermind behind the slaughter. His 1971 trial exposed the terrifying extent of his psychological control, resulting

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 8, 2026

Things Get Bloody in the First Look at Ryan Murphy’s “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story”

Sharpen your hatchets and adjust your petticoats. Netflix’s hit true-crime anthology “Monster“ is returning this fall, and Vanity Fair has dropped the official first look at its next grim obsession, “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.” Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the franchise previously dissected Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez Brothers, and Ed Gein. Now, it is turning back the clock to Fall River, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1892. This time, it will explore history’s most famous axe-wielding socialite. An Absolute Killer Ensemble Rising star Ella BeattyA star-studded roster of enablers, victims, and bystanders supports her-studded roster of enablers, victims, and bystanders. Charlie Hunnam (Monster: Ed Gein) returns to the series as Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s tyrannical father. Rebecca Hall, Billie Lour, Vicky Krieps, and Jessica Barden fill out the cast. Because this is a Ryan Murphy project, the casting fever dream doesn’t stop in the 19th century. Sarah Paulson is also slated to appear. How? In a cross-era cameo

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 4, 2026

Unfiltered Evil: ID’s “Signs of a Psychopath” Returns for New Season and Milestone 100th Episode

True-crime bingers, mark your calendars: Investigation Discovery is opening the vault to humanity’s darkest minds once again. The series “Signs of a Psychopath” returns for a brand-new season on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. It will deliver back-to-back episodes at 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM ET/PT on ID (and streaming on Max). Even bigger news for long-time watchers? This season marks the show’s 100th episode milestone. Using raw interrogation footage and the chilling confessions of the killers themselves, the show cuts through the noise. It analyzes the exact moments narcissism, delusion, and depravity curdle into cold-blooded murder. Premiere Night Double Header (August 11) -“I Guess I’m a Maniac” (9:00 PM ET/PT): A Florida cold case regarding a strangled woman goes unsolved for nearly a decade—until a surprise confession unmasks a deviant sexual psychopath fulfilling a dark fantasy. -“I Don’t Belong Here” (9:30 PM ET/PT): A disturbed man readily confesses to slaughtering three generations of his family. As he takes credit for

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 28, 2026

Skin Suits and a Supernatural Spin: ‘Ed Gein: The House of Horrors’ Drops First Trailer

Just when you thought Hollywood had squeezed every drop of notoriety out of America’s most infamous grave robber and killer, indie horror is stepping up to carve out its own piece of the pie. Hot on the heels of the buzz surrounding Netflix’s “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” TAW Entertainment has unveiled the first trailer for its own gruesome take on the “Butcher of Plainfield”: Ed Gein: The House Of Horrors. A Mother’s Love Never Dies (Unfortunately) The film promises a deep dive into the psychological disintegration of Wisconsin’s most notorious hermit. According to the official synopsis: Following the death of his fanatically religious mother, isolated farmer Ed Gein begins hearing her voice guiding him to punish “sinful” women. As grief curdles into obsession, Gein descends into absolute madness—robbing graves, committing murder, and transforming his secluded farmhouse into a literal house of horrors. The trailer kicks off with a group of unsuspecting 20-somethings standing over Gein’s grave, swapping urban legends

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 28, 2026

Investigation Discovery Announces Premieres Including ‘A Killer Among Friends’

True crime fans, it’s time to update your watchlists. Investigation Discovery is rolling out a heavy-hitting July slate, packed with betrayals, body cams, and highly suspicious emergency calls. Leading the charge is the return of the Jennifer Love Hewitt-executive-produced and narrated hit, A Killer Among Friends. There are also fresh seasons of fan-favorites Body Cam and 911: Did the Killer Call? Odds are you will recognize Hewitt from her many roles in the horror/supernatural genre. Before her role in the massive hit series The Ghost Whisperer, she starred in I Know What You Did Last Summer. She also recently returned for the new I Know What You Did Last Summer. Now, she is a series regular on another amazing series, 9-1-1. Here is your breakdown of what’s coming to ID (and streaming on Max) this month. ‘A Killer Among Friends’ (Season 2) Premieres Monday, July 20, 9 PM ET/PT If you think your group chat is dramatic, Jennifer Love Hewitt

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 1, 2026

True Crime Inspired ‘Hell’s Half-Acre’ Getting a Feature Adaptation with a Killer Cast

The Western true-crime novel Hell’s Half-Acre has already garnered awards as a short feature film. Now, the full-length movie version is entering production. Author/producer Nicholas Nicastro has compiled an impressive roster of talent both in front of and behind the Camera. In front of the Camera Cult horror legend Bill Moseley (3 from Hell) is joined by Western icon Grainger Hines (Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Hell on Wheels). Award-winning stage and film actress Hannah Beck (Through Open Doors) also stars alongside off-Broadway and film notable Craig Cartwright (Marilyn Exposed). Newcomer JoHannah James also joins the cast. Behind the Camera Primetime Emmy nominee Marc Henry Johnson (HBO’s The Deuce, The Awful Truth) produces with Emmy winner Travis LaBella serving as cinematographer. Nicastro’s proof-of-concept short film, Hell’s Half-Acre: Sojourn, won Best Indie Short at the LA Indie Shorts Festival, Best Narrative at the Toronto Indie Shorts, an Award of Merit at the IndieFEST Film Awards, and the UK’s Freewheeling Film Award. It

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 25, 2026

Horrific History Comes to Life: ‘731’ is Coming to Blu-ray

The horrific human experimentation conducted by Japan’s covert biological warfare division during World War II remains one of the darkest, most brutal chapters in human history. Shifting away from standard Hollywood blockbusters, Well Go USA Entertainment is bringing this crucial, harrowing, horrific history to home video with the release of 731. Written and directed by Zhao Linshan (The Assassins), the Chinese film anchors its massive historical scope in a deeply intimate, human perspective. The cast features Wu Jiang (Dragon, A Touch of Sin), Zhiwen Wang (Battle of the Warriors), and Naiwen Li (The Adventure). Qian Sun (Three Weddings) and Ziye Lin (My Blue Summer) round out the cast. Suffering and Survival Behind the Wire Set inside the notorious, hidden complex of the Japanese Imperial Army’s Unit 731, the film confronts the reality of prisoners. Victims were held captive and subjected to torturous medical experiments aimed at developing advanced biological and chemical weaponry. At the center of this nightmare is Wang

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 29, 2026

New Documentary ‘Deconstructing Dahlia’ Intends to Name the Killer of Elizabeth Short

Move over, armchair detectives. One of America’s most infamous, deeply haunted Hollywood mysteries might finally be solved: the Black Dahlia murder. Global production company Talestorm has officially announced Deconstructing Dahlia, a true-crime docuseries that tracks a five-year investigation into the 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short—better known as the Black Dahlia. The production team claims they aren’t just recycling old theories. They have uncovered startling new leads, identified a primary suspect, located the definitive crime scene, and are currently leaning hard on the Los Angeles Police Department to hand over secrets they’ve kept under lock and key for nearly 80 years. The Avengers of True Crime This isn’t a couple of podcasters with a microphone. The docuseries follows a heavyweight squad of filmmakers, seasoned investigators, and retired law enforcement royalty who have been living and breathing this case for half a decade. The investigative roster includes: -Steve Cooley (Former Los Angeles County District Attorney) -Lenny DePaul (Retired US Marshal Commander; Hunting

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 20, 2026
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