True crime podcasts have become extremely popular in recent years, offering listeners a chance to delve into the world of murder, deception, and mystery from a safe distance. These podcasts provide insight into criminal psychology and the motives behind dangerous crimes, satisfying the thrill of the chase without putting listeners in harm’s way. With a third of podcast listeners tuning into true crime podcasts, the genre has taken off, with a wide range of shows documenting crimes from serial murders to fraudulent schemes to disappearances and more.
One of the pioneering true crime podcasts, Serial, debuted in 2014 and sparked a surge in the genre’s popularity. Today, there are thousands of true crime podcasts catering to a primarily female audience aged 18-49. True crime consistently ranks as the top genre on popular podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify. This list of the top true crime podcasts is based on factors such as listener data, online buzz, and the uniqueness of the subject matter covered in each show.
Sistas Who Kill, hosted by MaRah and Taz, examines cases of Black women killers and sheds light on disparities in how the justice system treats them compared to white women murderers. Hands Off My Podcast takes an ethical approach to true crime, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Root of Evil delves into the infamous unsolved Black Dahlia murder, offering a fresh perspective from the great-granddaughters of a suspect.
Tom Brown’s Body explores the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of a high school senior, while Morbid provides a lighthearted take on various crimes each week. Bear Brook focuses on a cold case from Bear Brook State Park, with season two shifting focus to a wrongly convicted killer. In the Dark offers in-depth investigative journalism on cases with unsatisfactory conclusions, while The Missing Found Podcast highlights cases of missing Black and Brown individuals.
From scams to unsolved murders, these podcasts offer engaging storytelling, investigative journalism, and thought-provoking discussions on true crime. Whether you’re a history buff, a social justice advocate, or someone fascinated by the complexities of the criminal mind, there’s a true crime podcast on this list for you. So sit back, hit play, and let these top true crime podcasts take you on a thrilling journey through the darkest corners of human nature.
