We’re a culture obsessed with true crime. It seems like every man and his dog has attempted to start a podcast dedicated to our most gory, gruesome obsession. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to put forward seven of our favourite true crime podcasts.
You don’t have to have seen the successful Netflix true-crime anthology series to enjoy the podcast. Reported and hosted by Christopher Goffard from the L.A. Times, Dirty John the podcast chronicles with exacting and chilling precision how an interior designer’s exciting new love interest became a brutal and violent nightmare.
In November, 1985, the remains of an adult female and a young girl were found wrapped in plastic and stuffed into a metal drum in Allenstown, New Hampshire. Fifteen years later, near the first dumpsite, the bodies of two more young girls discovered, also found in a metal drum.
In 2015, Bear Brook host Jason Moon began reporting on the murders after it was announced that authorities were using new forensic techniques in an attempt to identify the bodies. In 2017, he developed his reporting developed into a podcast. Bear Brook is a thrilling look at a case that took decades for the authorities to uncover answers to the murders that traumatized a town.
Ear Hustle (it’s created by prisoners at San Quentin State Prison and they talk about their lives and life in prison)
Ear Hustle features interview with inmates at San Quentin State Prison who share their illuminating opinions on stories of life in prison, covering everything from cellmates, solitary confinement, race, morality, gangs and family. Ear Hustle was created by Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, both formerly incarcerated, alongside Nigel Poor, an artist that volunteers at the prison.
A five-part podcast from Christopher Goffard, the writer and host of Dirty John. Where most true-crime podcasts fixate on the killer, Detective Trapp turns its gaze on Anaheim investigator Julissa Trapp. An aspiring homicide cop who devotedly worked on sex crimes, gangs and family crimes until she finally became the only woman in the homicide department.
Dr. Death (limited series)
DA scorching indictment of the failings of the US medical system, the Wondery production focuses on harrowing cases of medical malpractice. It’s gorey, heartbreaking and infuriating.
The first season of the Laura Beil-hosted podcast focuses on Dr. Christopher Duntsch a spinal surgeon working in Dallas, Texas, for roughly two years. Dr. Duntsch falsified information on his CV and made his way to the top of the medical ladder. Over the two years he practised he operated on 38 patients, killing two and seriously injuring or paralysing 33.
Jensen & Holes: The Murder Squad
Most true crime aficionados will be familiar with the work of The Murder Squad. A podcast that led to an arrest in a 40-year-old cold case. I’m not going to tell you about it because witnessing the entire thing unfurl whilst listening to the podcast is truly gobsmacking.
There ain’t nuthin better than a grand ol’ tale of swindlers and frauds. Fraudsters is a delicious dive into some of the greatest confidence men in history. There’s a great episode featuring our favourite Russian scam artist Anna Sorkin.
