Top 10 True Crime Podcasts to Listen to in 2021
#10: “Hollywood Crime Scene” (2017-)
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The podcast landscape is absolutely filled with true crime, and it’s easy to get lost among all the different shows. A true crime podcast needs to truly stand out to get noticed within the oversaturated genre, and “Hollywood Crime Scene” is that podcast. Hosted by Desi Jedeikin and Rachel Fisher, “Hollywood Crime Scene” details scandals, crimes, and sordid stories that have plagued Hollywood throughout the years. The show mixes standalone episodes with longer two-parters. In 2021 the podcast has covered the likes of Richard Ramirez, aka The Night Stalker, a conman named Lou Pearlman, and Winnie Ruth Judd, aka The Trunk Murderess, who transported bodies in suitcases.
#9: “Casefile True Crime Podcast” (2016-)
“Casefile” is by far one of the most popular true crime podcasts - and for good reason. Hosted by an anonymous Australian host, “Casefile” has aired since January 2016, with each episode serving as a mini audiobook. Unlike many other true crime podcasts, “Casefile” is not conversational in nature. Rather, the podcast tells its stories in narrative fashion, complete with studious background information and plot twists. The research is also second to none, with the podcast reportedly consisting of four researchers and writers who access primary resources to get their information. But it’s not just the research and storytelling that sets “Casefile” apart. The podcast is also impeccably produced, complete with an eerie sound design and original compositions.
#8: “The Missing Cryptoqueen” (2019-)
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Some podcasts are devoted to specific stories, much like a documentary miniseries. “The Missing Cryptoqueen” is a standout example. Expertly produced by the BBC, this podcast is tamer than most true crime stories, as it forgoes gory serial killings to tell an enthralling story about an experienced con artist. The podcast is devoted to Bulgarian fraudster Ruja Ignatova and her Ponzi scheme, OneCoin. Promoted as a cryptocurrency in the vein of Bitcoin, OneCoin has conned people out of an unbelievable $4 billion, leading British daily newspaper The Times to call it “one of the biggest scams in history”. Ignatova went on the run in 2017 and has yet to be found. She’s currently facing up to 90 years in prison.
#7: “Unraveled: Long Island Serial Killer” (2020-)
Another podcast devoted to one case, “Unraveled” concerns the still-unsolved story of the Long Island serial killer. Also known as the Craigslist Ripper, this person is believed to have killed at least ten people over a twenty-year period, with their remains being found in the Suffolk and Nassau counties of New York in 2010 and 2011. Produced by Discovery, “Unraveled: Long Island Serial Killer” is hosted by Alexis Linkletter and Billy Jensen and sees them exploring both the case and the reasons behind its frustratingly unsolved status. It makes for enthralling listening, and it brings to attention one of the biggest true crime stories of our time.
#6: “Welcome to Your Fantasy” (2021-)
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Founded in 1979 and rising to prominence in the early ‘80s, Chippendales were an all-male dance troupe who seduced and entertained female audiences with their oily bare chests, sensual dancing, and stripteases. Today, Chippendales perform at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The tale of the troupe’s past however is one of corruption, arson and murder. Gimlet Media’s “Welcome to Your Fantasy” is a great podcast that’s expertly produced and meticulously researched, complete with first hand interviews with co-conspirators and former Chippendale dancers.
#5: “90s Crime Time” (2020-)
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This true crime podcast is unique, as it focuses entirely on stories from the 1990s. The podcast started its life on host Simone Taylor’s Instagram account before blossoming into what it is today. “90s Crime Time” covers both well known and obscure true crime stories from the ‘90s, and each episode only lasts half an hour, making it perfect for commutes or chores around the house. In 2021, the show has covered a serial arsonist in Seattle, a billionaire who hired a sketchy staff member, and a woman who found danger on an internet chat room, among others. The stories are always interesting, and they are very well told by Taylor.
#4: “The Dating Game Killer” (2020-)
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In 1978, a contestant named Rodney Alcala appeared on “The Dating Game”, a syndicated game show that saw a bachelorette questioning three potential bachelors and taking the winner on a date. At the time, Alcala was in the midst of a killing spree that resulted in at least eight deaths. His true victim count remains unknown, but he was eventually sentenced to life on seven murders that occurred between 1971 and 1979. Funnily enough, the bachelorette and a fellow contestant described Alcala as “creepy” and “very strange”. Produced by Wondery and hosted by Tracy Pattin and Stephen Lang of “Avatar” and “Don’t Breathe” fame, “The Dating Game Killer” is a fantastic podcast that goes into painstaking detail regarding Alcala’s life, crimes, and infamous appearance on syndicated television.
#3: “You’re Wrong About” (2018-)
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Hosted by Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall, “You’re Wrong About” is a history and human interest podcast concerned with misunderstood stories of the past. As its title suggests, “You’re Wrong About” covers historical events that have been poorly reported or misunderstood by the general public while also aiming to tell the true and complex story at its core. While not necessarily a true crime podcast, “You’re Wrong About” has covered many notable true crime cases. These include the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, the Jonestown Massacre, and Jeffrey Dahmer, among many others. Each episode is expertly researched, the hosts are fun and affable, and each episode runs 60-90 minutes, striking the perfect balance between depth and easy-listening.
#2: “Murder History Girls” (2019-)
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Hosted by sisters Mikki Wilkerson and Brandi Samples, “Murder History Girls” is a true crime podcast infused with comedy. It doesn’t sound like comedy and true crime should go together, but the sisters toe the line and strike a wonderful balance, ensuring that this podcast is informative and thrilling, but also very, very funny. The podcast has covered a wide array of topics, including Jack the Ripper, lobotomies, the origins of werewolves, and Rasputin, among many others. Few true crime podcasts utilize comedy to such success, making “Murder History Girls” essential listening. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “My Favorite Murder” (2016-) Another True Crime Comedy Podcast Hosted by Two Comedians “The Clown and the Candyman” (2020-) A Dark Network Connected Dean Corll & John Wayne Gacy “Dr. Death” (2018-) Wondery Investigates Cases of Medical Malpractice “Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen” (2020-) A Mysterious Woman Cons Hollywood Day Players
#1: “In the Dark” (2016-)
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It’s arguably the best true crime podcast ever produced. The first season of “In the Dark” concerns the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling. The second, an epic 23-episode adventure, concerns Curtis Flowers, who was tried for murder on six separate occasions and spent over twenty years in prison before he was released in 2019 without an official sentencing. Four of his trials were overturned after conviction, and two ended in mistrials. “In the Dark” contains stellar investigative journalism from American Public Media, winning two Peabody Awards for “transcending the genre” and “offering a masterclass in true crime podcasting”. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
