Skip to main content

True crime

Vox’s coverage of true crime news.

The Delphi murders were a local tragedy. Then they became “true crime.”
Culture

The investigation into the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams sums up the messy state of true crime.

By Aja Romano
The one horrifying story from the new Menendez brothers doc that explains their whole caseThe one horrifying story from the new Menendez brothers doc that explains their whole case
CultureMember Exclusive

The Menendez murders seemed inexplicable. They’re not anymore.

By Aja Romano
The egregious missteps of Ryan Murphy’s new Menendez brothers dramaThe egregious missteps of Ryan Murphy’s new Menendez brothers drama
CultureMember Exclusive

Monsters could have been a nuanced look at abuse. Instead, it’s sleazy tabloid drama.

By Aja Romano
Serial’s Adnan Syed has once again had his conviction reinstated. Here’s what that really means.Serial’s Adnan Syed has once again had his conviction reinstated. Here’s what that really means.
Culture

The back-and-forth over a wildly rare appeal is a win for victim’s rights.

By Aja Romano
Scott Peterson’s guilt, explainedScott Peterson’s guilt, explained
Culture

The Innocence Project has taken on Scott Peterson. But there are limits to reasonable doubt.

By Aja Romano
Baby Reindeer’s “Martha” is, inevitably, suing NetflixBaby Reindeer’s “Martha” is, inevitably, suing Netflix
Culture

Writer-star Richard Gadd denies that Fiona Harvey is the basis for the complicated character.

By Aja Romano
The baffling case of Karen ReadThe baffling case of Karen Read
Culture

How the mysterious death of a Boston cop led to an intense trial, a media circus, and a referendum on policing.

By Aja Romano
Serial transformed true crime — and the way we think about criminal justice
Culture

The show that helped free Adnan Syed completely upended how much the average person knows about US legal and prison systems.

By Aja Romano
Why the case at the center of Netflix’s What Jennifer Did isn’t over yetWhy the case at the center of Netflix’s What Jennifer Did isn’t over yet
Culture

Jennifer Pan allegedly hired hitmen to kill her parents in 2010. But the case is in limbo.

By Aja Romano
Mary Kay Letourneau, the grim inspiration for May December, explainedMary Kay Letourneau, the grim inspiration for May December, explained
Your guide to the 2024 Oscars

We still don’t know how to talk about Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau.

By Aja Romano
The murder of Natalee Holloway finally has a resolution. Sort of.The murder of Natalee Holloway finally has a resolution. Sort of.
Culture

It took six countries, 18 years, and a litany of lies, but Natalee Holloway and Stephany Ramirez both have justice.

By Aja Romano
The Long Island serial killer case may finally be solved — but many questions remainThe Long Island serial killer case may finally be solved — but many questions remain
Culture

A surprise arrest after a 13-year investigation shocked the true crime community — and relieved New Yorkers.

By Aja Romano
Carlee Russell: A missing Black woman and a social media frenzy, explainedCarlee Russell: A missing Black woman and a social media frenzy, explained
Criminal Justice

What the viral story of a missing Alabama woman says about all of us.

By Marin Cogan
Lori Vallow’s unthinkable series of murders leads to life without paroleLori Vallow’s unthinkable series of murders leads to life without parole
Culture

After two missing children, a quadruple homicide, and the darkest of true crimes. Lori Vallow finally receives her sentence.

By Aja Romano
The horrifying revelations of the Idaho student murdersThe horrifying revelations of the Idaho student murders
Culture

What the Idaho student murder investigation tells us about how criminal justice should work.

By Aja Romano
The Murdaugh murders saga continues as Stephen Smith’s death is ruled a homicideThe Murdaugh murders saga continues as Stephen Smith’s death is ruled a homicide
Culture

A former classmate of Buster Murdaugh died eight years ago in a hit-and-run. The suspicious death is now officially a homicide.

By Aja Romano
Alex Murdaugh sentenced to two life terms for murdering his wife and sonAlex Murdaugh sentenced to two life terms for murdering his wife and son
Culture

After a lengthy, dramatic trial, the saga of the Murdaugh murders came to a swift conclusion.

By Aja Romano
Why we’re relitigating the Casey Anthony case now — and why we shouldn’tWhy we’re relitigating the Casey Anthony case now — and why we shouldn’t
Culture

Peacock’s new Casey Anthony special dares to ask why we need to rehash every true crime case.

By Aja Romano
The surreal true crimes behind Hulu’s Welcome to ChippendalesThe surreal true crimes behind Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales
Culture

A pair of real-life murders bookend this series starring Kumail Nanjiani and Murray Bartlett.

By Aja Romano
Adnan Syed is free — and it only took years of criminal justice reformAdnan Syed is free — and it only took years of criminal justice reform
Culture

The knotty but triumphant role true crime played in the case of Adnan Syed, subject of the 2014 podcast Serial.

By Aja Romano
What do true crime series like Dahmer owe the victims?What do true crime series like Dahmer owe the victims?
Culture

True crime has made huge strides in centering the victim. But we keep getting series like the Netflix docudrama.

By Aja Romano
How to prevent another death like Gabby Petito’sHow to prevent another death like Gabby Petito’s
Culture

Domestic violence deaths are preventable. We asked experts how to stop them.

By Aja Romano
Gabby Petito’s disappearance, and why it was absolutely everywhere, explainedGabby Petito’s disappearance, and why it was absolutely everywhere, explained
Culture

Web sleuthing was a tricky true crime hobby. Then Gabby Petito went missing.

By Aja Romano
The 11 best true crime series on NetflixThe 11 best true crime series on Netflix
Culture

Netflix has an overwhelming number of true crime shows. Here are the best series on the list.

By Aja Romano
HBO’s true crime drama The Investigation is slow and frustrating on purposeHBO’s true crime drama The Investigation is slow and frustrating on purpose
Culture

HBO’s dramatized series uses its methodical pace to fully confront the murder of Kim Wall.

By Aja Romano
Bombs, grift, true crime: Netflix’s Murder Among the Mormons almost had it allBombs, grift, true crime: Netflix’s Murder Among the Mormons almost had it all
Culture

Murder Among the Mormons should have been all about obsessive Mormon book nerds instead of its dweeby killer.

By Aja Romano
Why the best true crime podcasts have to be politicalWhy the best true crime podcasts have to be political
Culture

Cult hit RedHanded balances the appeal of true crime storytelling with progressive politics — and a lot of charm. We talked to its hosts.

By Aja Romano
One Good Thing: Netflix’s The Ripper smartly reframes the notorious Yorkshire Ripper caseOne Good Thing: Netflix’s The Ripper smartly reframes the notorious Yorkshire Ripper case
One Good Thing

This riveting docuseries explores why police failed for years to catch Peter Sutcliffe.

By Aja Romano
Netflix’s misguided Night Stalker series treats its cops like godsNetflix’s misguided Night Stalker series treats its cops like gods
Culture

To be a true crime fan is to have a troubled dependence on the police.

By Aja Romano
9 wild cult stories to get lost in9 wild cult stories to get lost in
Culture

Murder, delusions of grandeur, dark rituals, brainwashing — these cults did it all.

By Aja Romano
One Good Thing: This true crime podcast about a murderous doctor is even scarier during a pandemicOne Good Thing: This true crime podcast about a murderous doctor is even scarier during a pandemic
Culture

Dr. Death season 1 is a story about nightmarish systemic collapse disguised as a story about a sociopath.

By Aja Romano
Netflix’s American Murder is mesmerizing even if you’re already familiar with the Watts murdersNetflix’s American Murder is mesmerizing even if you’re already familiar with the Watts murders
Culture

The gripping new documentary is a harrowing portrait of a family prior to its own annihilation.

By Aja Romano
Podcasts like The Thing About Pam are why I’ll never get tired of true crimePodcasts like The Thing About Pam are why I’ll never get tired of true crime
Audio
Culture

Dateline’s first narrative true crime podcast is a jawdropping story of greed — and a deeply fallible justice system.

By Aja Romano
Tiger King is a mesmerizing train wreck. Here are more stories just like it.Tiger King is a mesmerizing train wreck. Here are more stories just like it.
Culture

Tiger King is just one bizarre story out of many of animal exploitation breeding chaos.

By Aja Romano
Netflix’s flawed Aaron Hernandez documentary raises more questions than it answersNetflix’s flawed Aaron Hernandez documentary raises more questions than it answers
Culture

Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez remains on the outside of its story.

By Aja Romano
Curtis Flowers was tried 6 times for the same crime. The Supreme Court just reversed his conviction.Curtis Flowers was tried 6 times for the same crime. The Supreme Court just reversed his conviction.
Culture

The longtime death row inmate could still face an unprecedented seventh trial — at the hands of the prosecutor who racially discriminated against him.

By Aja Romano
Predators like Ted Bundy control their narratives. True crime podcasts are changing that.Predators like Ted Bundy control their narratives. True crime podcasts are changing that.
Culture

True crime podcasts work to demystify dangerous men. Here’s how to follow their lead on “charming predators.”

By Aja Romano
HBO’s The Case Against Adnan Syed comes armed with an agenda and little elseHBO’s The Case Against Adnan Syed comes armed with an agenda and little else
Culture

The deep dive into the case Serial made famous tries to be nuanced and sensitive, but can’t get past its pro-Syed bias.

By Aja Romano
Netflix’s Conversations With a Killer willfully participates in Ted Bundy’s 3-ring circusNetflix’s Conversations With a Killer willfully participates in Ted Bundy’s 3-ring circus
Culture

The new true crime documentary series demonstrates that even after his death, Ted Bundy runs his own show.

By Aja Romano