Beyond the headlines: 11 true crime podcasts that helped break cases or find new leads

True crime podcasts have a wide reach and draw national attention to cases, sometimes finding new leads, solving long-standing mysteries, and making significant breaks. We’ve rounded up podcasts where the investigations uncovered new details, reopened cold cases, shared never-before-heard interviews, traced clues in real time, followed listener-submitted tips, and more.

There are cases where perpetrators recently stood trial, and in another series, two men were exonerated after spending 25 years in prison. For a deep-dive into The Black Dahlia murders, check out “Root of Evil.” Another podcast looks at a murder case and a potential police cover-up. Tune into these podcasts and more on our round-up of investigative shows that helped break cases.

Proof: A True Crime Podcast

In December 2022, two incarcerated men were exonerated after spending 25 years in prison when wrongfully convicted for Brian Bowling’s murder. Susan Simpson (“Undisclosed“), and Jacinda Davis (Evil Lives Here) investigated the case, interviewed key witnesses, and uncovered new evidence. Recent episodes spoke with the freed men, Joshua Storey and Darrell Lee Clark.

Up and Vanished

In “Up and Vanished” season 1, Payne Lindsey began investigating Tara Grinstead’s case, a Georgia high school teacher who vanished in 2005. The podcast drew nationwide attention to this case that ran cold for years, and new leads broke. In 2017, The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 2 suspects for Grinstead’s murder, and the second suspect, Ryan Duke, stood trial in May 2022. Season 4 covers Duke’s trial.

Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

Elizabeth Short, aka The Black Dahlia, was slain in 1947. Over 70 years later, it’s still an unsolved murder mystery and people believe Dr. George Hodel was the killer. Through an investigation led by Hodel’s son, this series opens up additional Hodel family stories, secrets, and revelations shared through interviews and archival audio. In 8 episodes, Hodel family members dive into their roots and learn new info about the case. This podcast is a companion listen to TNT’s I Am The Night, inspired by the Hodel family’s story, presented by TNT / Cadence13.

To Live and Die in LA

“To Live and Die in LA” investigated two different cases in two seasons that uncovered new information in real time. When actress Adea Shabani went missing in 2018, private investigator Jayden Brant reached out to Rolling Stone journalist Neil Strauss to help research the case.

Season 1 of the podcast compiled a team, including producer Alex Vespestad, to try to uncover what happened, identify leads, and trail a suspect. They heard accusations from witnesses, followed evidence, and learned inconsistencies from the LAPD’s investigation.

Season 2 tried to find clues on 20-year-old student Elaine Park’s disappearance. Strauss hopes this podcast will continue to bring awareness to cases like these. This podcast is presented by Tenderfoot TV and Cadence13.

S-Town

Serial presents “S-Town,” hosted by Brian Reed. In 2012, John from Woodstock, Alabama, (or “Shittown” as he calls it) asked “This American Life” to investigate a murder case and potential police cover-up. Reed’s investigation resulted in a 7-episode podcast. The case involved a wealthy family’s son who bragged he murdered scot free, then someone else wound up dead. In the podcast, hear about a resulting feud, a treasure hunt, and uncovered mysteries.

In the Dark

APM Reports “In the Dark,” sharing investigative journalism from host Madeleine Baran and a team of reporters. Start each season from episode 1 to hear the full investigation unfold. Season 1 covered Jacob Wetterling’s abduction in rural Minnesota and analyzed the local sheriffs’ crime-solving accountability. In season 2, Curtis Flowers maintains his innocence and was tried 6 times for the same crime. Flowers has won every appeal, and this season explores his case.

The Teacher’s Pet

Hedley Thomas hosts the investigative series “The Teacher’s Pet.” High school teacher Lyn and footballer Chris Dawson appeared happily married and lived near Sydney’s northern beaches. When Lyn went missing, Chris was accused of murder. The case ran cold until new evidence was uncovered 36 years later, and listeners hear about twin brothers, a teenage love affair, and a possible murder. Chris stood trial in 2022 and Hedley reported on the podcast, “The Teacher’s Trial.”

Your Own Backyard

Chris Lambert’s “Your Own Backyard” examined the 1996 disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristen Smart. Over the years no leads were successful and no body was found. This podcast reopened a 25-year-old cold case and hear Lambert’s investigation in 10 episodes.

Jensen and Holes: The Murder Squad

“Jensen and Holes: The Murder Squad” have been covering cases since 2019 on their podcast. Hosted by retired cold case investigator Paul Holes and investigative journalist Billy Jensen, they dive into missing persons cases, unsolved murders, and more. The duo attempts to solve crimes with many methods including traditional detective work, technologies like DNA searches, combing social media, and following listener-submitted tips and info.

Serial

“Serial” investigated true stories each season, created by Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder. Season 1 examined the disappearance of high school senior Hae Min Lee in 1999. Her body was found at a local park and her ex-boyfriend, 17-year-old Adnan Syed, was arrested after an anonymous tip. Sarah discovered new details from this case, and years later, reported several updates with the evidence presented in 2016’s court proceedings and Syed’s exoneration in 2022.

FRAMED: An investigative story

Wondery’s “FRAMED: An investigative story,” examines cases from all angles. Season 2 covered the Wat Promkunaram Temple shooting in 1991. Nine victims were placed in a circle and shot outside a Buddhist Temple in Waddell, Arizona. Season 1 looked at Brian Carrick’s disappearance in 2002. With just a pool of blood and clues left behind, people floated their own theories in Johnsburg, Illinois’ community. The investigative team explores who killed Carrick.