When it comes to picking podcasts, movies, music and milk, many of us trust personal recommendations more than anything. (Especially the milk.) That shouldn’t be any different when you’re selecting the next true crime podcast to give the honour of raising the hair at the back of your neck.
So we searched for the weird conversations where people were giving their best true crime podcast recommendations, snooped… (without being caught, of course—this is true crime we’re talking about) and compiled a list of the best 29. From the violent and murderous, to the cunning and swindling, here are Podcastle’s 29 best true crime podcasts.
1. Casefile
An award-winning true crime podcast that takes a deep dive into solved and unsolved cases in an episodic format.
From the story of a couple who return from a weekend away and find their daughter missing. Only to hear news of a body found in a bushland in Wollongong, New South Wales. What happened? Or that of a pair of nursing aides who show up to a nursing home in the 80s. But soon after, complaints trickle in from the home resident that their lives are in danger.
YouTube Link
2. Missing in Alaska
This is a true crime podcast hosted by investigative journalist Jon Walczak, exploring Alaska mystery with a Tuscon twist. Missing in Alaska dives deep into the disappearance of two U.S. congressmen, Hale Boggs and Nick Begich, whose plane vanished over Alaska in October 1972. Neither aircraft nor passengers were ever found. Walczak unfolds shocking new information that was never reported by the media in the captivating mystery behind this story.
3. To Live and Die in LA
To Live and Die in LA is a true crime podcast hosted by Neil Strauss, a Rolling Stone journalist. He follows the mysterious disappearance and death of aspiring Macedonian actress Adea Shabani. She was last seen alive leaving her Hollywood apartment with her boyfriend on 23 February 2018 and vanished without a trace. Adea Shabani's family asked Neil Strauss to aid them in searching for answers. He investigates to find out what happened to Adea, and what he uncovers is truly tragic and heart-wrenching.
4. Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie is a gripping and addictive true crime podcast that delves into the most mysterious and chilling criminal cases from around the world. Hosted by the dynamic duo of Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, this podcast invites listeners to join them in their passionate pursuit of uncovering the truth behind unsolved mysteries, cold cases, and harrowing crimes.
Ashley and Brit bring their natural storytelling talent and deep research skills to the forefront, narrating each episode with riveting detail and empathy. Crime Junkie has become a staple for true crime enthusiasts, delivering bone-chilling tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat and eager for the next episode.
5. My Favorite Murder
My Favorite Murder is a unique blend of true crime and comedy, hosted by the hilarious and captivating duo, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. With an unapologetic and witty approach, these two friends share their favorite murder cases, both famous and lesser-known, while weaving in personal anecdotes and humorous banter.
Each episode feels like a casual conversation with your best friends who just happen to be obsessed with all things macabre. Karen and Georgia's dynamic chemistry creates a safe and supportive space for discussing some of the darkest and most gruesome tales in the true crime genre, making My Favorite Murder a must-listen for those who enjoy true crime with a side of laughter.
6. Up and Vanished
Up and Vanished is an investigative documentary-style true crime podcast for those fascinated by the stories of those who have simply up and disappeared. This podcast is hosted by Payne Lindsey and covers its listeners with new stories of those who have literally vanished without a trace.
7. Someone Knows Something
Someone Knows Something, hosted by seasoned Canadian investigator and award-winning documentarian David Ridgen, is a true-crime series from CBC. Someone Knows Something podcast focuses on a single cold case each season and dives into the past to reveal something about a disappearance most have forgotten about.
8. Real Crime Profile
Real Crime Profile is a crime podcast hosted by former FBI profiler Jim Clemente, ex-New Scotland Yard criminal behavioral analyst Laura Richards, and Criminal Minds casting director Lisa Zambetti. This is a weekly podcast and perfect for fans of true crime. Hosts delve deep into each case, ensuring that the story centers around the victim, and delivering intelligent, knowledgeable conversation.
9. In the Dark
In The Dark is a crime podcast hosted by an American investigative journalist Madeleine Baran. This podcast reexamines two high-profile cases. The first season investigates the disappearance of the child Jacob Wetterling, while the second one focuses on the conviction of Curtis Flowers, a Black man from Mississippi who was tried six times for the same crime but is likely innocent.
10. Criminal
Narrated by Phoebe Judge, with audio excerpts` from interviews of people directly involved in the cases, Criminal tells the stories of bizarre and mysterious crimes in 40 to 60 minute episodes.
The story of a stack of love letters found between the dead bodies of a pastor and a choir singer—and what happens next—had me clicking "play" faster than it should be legal to. Criminal has a big catalogue of pre-recorded episodes (it's been running since 2014) and live shows that are part of an audience tour.
YouTube Link
11. Today In True Crime
Today In True Crime is a podcast that delivers a daily dose of historical and contemporary true crime stories. Hosted by passionate and knowledgeable crime enthusiasts, this podcast is your go-to source for intriguing and bite-sized tales of criminal acts that occurred on this day in history.
Each episode provides a brief but comprehensive overview of a notable crime, from notorious heists to unsolved mysteries, with a keen focus on the historical context and significance. Whether you're a true crime aficionado or simply curious about the darker side of history, Today In True Crime offers a quick and informative exploration of the world's most intriguing criminal events, all neatly packaged into a daily podcast format.
12. The Coldest Case in Laramie
In a collaboration between Serial productions and the New York Times, Kim Barker, a New York Times investigative reporter revisits a murder that happened in 1985, in the town she grew up in, Laramie, Wyoming.
The revisited murder case had gone cold until 2021, when a former Laramie police officer was arrested as a suspect for the murder, only for the charges to be dropped months later, despite DNA evidence and witnesses placing him at the crime scene.
The podcast documents Kim Barker's pursuit of answers in 20-36 min episodes, (a great listen to squeeze in when you don't have a lot of time for a podcast.)
13. Bear Brook
Running since 2018, this serialised investigative podcast covers the story of a 30-year-old murder, uncovered after the bodies of an adult and a child were found in bag next to a barrel at the Great Bear Brook State Park.
Three decades later, new DNA technology—and a librarian who connected the murderous dots after listening to this podcast—help solve the case. It's a great listen with 30-40 min episodes.
YouTube
14. Atlanta Monsters
Another serialised podcast launched in 2018, Atlanta monsters details the story of the Atlanta Child Murders that occurred between 1979 and 1981, where more than 25 African-American children and young adults disappeared from their neighbourhoods.
A production of Tenderfoot TV (the brains behind the popular Up and Vanished and HowStuffWorks podcasts), Atlanta Monsters is hosted by Payne Lindsey and comes in 40-60 min episodes.
The podcast covers the Atlanta Child Murders from the start of the hysteria that sweeped through the city in 1979, as children first started disappearing, to the arrest of Wayne Williams, the main suspect in the murders.
15. Medical Murders
This is a true crime podcast that examines cases where medical professionals use their skills to harm rather than heal. The program is hosted by Alastair Murden, who examines the formative years and motivations of history’s most infamous killer doctors with expert analysis provided by practicing MD, Dr. David Kipper.
16. Queen of the Con
Queen of the Con follows a new female con artist every season delving deep into the mind of a con artist, the lives they ruin, and how far they’ll go for the con. It is created by Johnathan Walton and produced by AYR Media and iHeart Media.
17. Counter Clock
Counter Clock explores baffling unsolved mysteries and cold cases. On each episode, host Delia D'Ambra examines a new murder or missing persons case, tackling a wide variety of mysteries from different countries and time periods.
18. Bone Valley
This is a true crime podcast that follows the story of Leo Schofield, who was convicted of murdering his wife Michelle in the late 1980s and has since been serving a life sentence in the Florida correctional system. The show uncovers startling new evidence that Jeremy is responsible for a string of murders.
19. The Trail Went Cold
This weekly true crime podcast which explores baffling unsolved mysteries and cold cases. On each episode, host Robin Warder examines a new murder or missing persons case, tackling a wide variety of mysteries from different countries and time periods.
20. Park Predators
Host Delia D’Ambra delves into criminal cases within the US national parks system, each episode features stories of people who went missing or were killed while visiting national parks.
21. The Invisible Choir
The Invisible Choir tells stories of those who have been forgotten by society and are often overlooked by traditional media outlets. Hosted by Michael Ojibway, each episode features stories of people who have been wrongfully convicted or have had their cases mishandled by law enforcement.
22. Scamfluencers
Scamfluencers explores the world of social media scams and influencers who use their platforms to deceive their followers for financial gain. Hosted by Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi, each episode features stories of people who have fallen victim to these scams.
23. Swindled
This is a true crime podcast that exposes corporate corruption, financial frauds, and white-collar crimes. Hosted by "A Concerned Citizen", each episode features stories of people who have been swindled out of their money or deceived by corporations.
24. Southern Fried True Crime with Erica Kelly
Focused on crimes committed in the southern United States and hosted by Erica Kelly, each episode features stories of people who have been murdered or gone missing in the southern states.
25. Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries
This podcast revisits solved murder cases to explore how detectives solved them. Hosted by Carter Roy and Wenndy Mackenzie, each episode features stories of people who have been murdered and how detectives solved their cases.
26. Buried Bones
Hear the stories of people who have gone missing and whose remains were found years later. Hosted by Kate Winkler Dawson (journalist) and Paul Holes (retired investigator), each episode features stories of people whose remains were found years after they went missing.
27. MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
This is a true crime podcast that explores strange and mysterious stories from around the world. Hosted by Jonathan B. Allen, each episode features stories of people who have gone missing or died under mysterious circumstances.
28. Ridiculous Crime
Telling tales of bizarre crimes from around the world and hosted by Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton, each episode features stories of people who have committed ridiculous crimes.
29. Game of Crimes
Hosted by Morgan Wright and Steve Murphy, each episode features stories of athletes who have committed crimes both on and off the field.
Best True Crime Podcasts on Spotify
- Casefile
- Missing in Alaska
- To Live and Die in LA
- Crime Junkie
- My Favorite Murder
- Up and Vanished
- Someone Knows Something
- Real Crime Profile
- In the Dark
- Criminal
- Today In True Crime
- The Coldest Case in Laramie
- Bear Brook
- Atlanta Monsters
- Medical Murders
- Queen of the Con
- Counter Clock
- Bone Valley
- The Trail Went Cold
- Park Predators
- The Invisible Choir
