Dubious Suspects, Lost Hikers, & North Country Murders
The best true crime documentary podcasts of April & May
What a week. When you have a newborn and a six year old, two days off for a wedding really feels like eight.
This week has found me quite consumed with reporting two major series of mine that are slated for release in the next year. Major breakthroughs in the reporting just happened to occur this week. In one case, an individual we’d thought had all but disappeared for the past two decades emerged. It’s strange to go from imagining what a story you’re working on might look like if a person were in it, to talking to them almost every day.
It’s exhilarating work. Every day there’s something new. I only wish I could take you along for the ride while it’s happening.
On another note, I was chatting with a colleague at another shop this week, who told me they thought the world of narrative podcasting was in peril. It’s an idea that gets thrown around quite a bit. If you’re not following it as closely as I am, you might not have realized all the changes that have happened in the podcast industry over the past two years. And if you are someone who loves documentary audio, you may not have needed to.
For those who make and produce audio docs, it’s true there are fewer places to get shows made. But if you just showed up to listen, there’s more great storytelling now than ever.
No feature this week, but this does give me the chance to share with you some of the shows I can’t get enough of.
I’ll try to do this every several weeks and brings some friends into it…but this week I wanted to share with you some of the podcast series that had me completely glued to my pillow, staying up a few extra hours just to get to the end.
Up and Vanished: The Midnight Sun (Tenderfoot TV)
“Payne Lindsey returns with a new season of “Up and Vanished,” heading to Nome, Alaska, to investigate the disappearance of Florence Okpealuk, and shed light on Alaska’s dark disappearances. Join the investigations as Payne talks with family and witnesses, even going undercover with the goal of bringing justice to the Okpealuk family.”
I’m a little late to the Payne Lindsey fan club but am a very proud member. One thing that has happened with the proliferation of limited run podcasts is quite a few titles that are old or repackaged stories. Up and Vanished continues in the spirit of on-the-ground, real-time storytelling that always feels fresh and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I won’t give it away, and half the series is yet to be released, but the lengths Payne goes to track down a suspect in Florence’s killing? Truly mind blowing.
“Imagine you're accused of something horrific. You swear you didn't do it, but someone says they witnessed it: your own brother. Sophia Johnson was newly married with a baby on the way when she became the prime suspect in her mother-in-law's brutal murder. WBUR's Amory Sivertson reexamines a case unsolved, a family torn apart, and the woman who wasn't believed.”
One of the best written procedurals I’ve listened to all year, and a story that truly unravels like a ball of yarn. The finale of the series is jaw dropping.
Status: Untraced (Tenderfoot TV)
“In 2016, survivalist and world traveler Justin Alexander goes missing in the Parvati Valley while on a spiritual trek into the Himalayan Mountains. While the circumstances of his disappearance point to murder, a chilling message he left behind throws everything into question: “I should return mid-September or so. If I’m not back by then, don’t look for me.” Four years later, host and true crime newcomer Liam Luxon is introduced to Justin's story and embarks on an investigation into the mysterious case. "Status-Untraced" is a 10-episode journey that explores the secrets the Valley holds, the stones left unturned, and what really happened to Justin Alexander.”
Tenderfoot TV has been one of the most consistent providers of great storytelling this past year. Some incredible titles. This one caught me by surprise…an investigation into a missing traveler that takes you around the world with the host, and makes you feel like you’re in the back seat with them.
Blood Is Thicker (CBS News/Sony Music Podcasts)
“Millionaire businesswoman Pamela Hargan and her youngest daughter Helen are found dead in their family home in McLean, Virginia. The strange and haunting crime scene puzzled investigators – was it a murder-suicide or was it staged to look like one? There was conflicting evidence all around. 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant examines the suspenseful case in this 6-episode series, Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings. Detectives try to untangle mixed motives from mother-daughter discord, to sibling rivalry, jealousy and a family fortune. Find out if blood is really thicker when it comes to the Hargan family.”
What newsletter would be complete without a shameless plug? Full disclosure my team worked on this series with the brilliant folks at 48 Hours. What makes this story so fascinating to listen to, is that the killer really unravels their own case for themselves…and we’ve got it all on tape.
Glad to see it finding its audience since the launch last week, where it sits right now at #1 on the overall podcast charts. This week or next I’ll pull in some of the people behind the scenes that made this story possible for a chat here on the newsletter.
What are you listening to? What’s got you on the edge of your seat? Drop me a line and let me know. I’m always eager to hear what you’d like from this newsletter as well, so please send me your feedback. I’ve been flattered to see how many folks have joined up in these first few weeks.
Happy Sunday. I’ll see you next week.