True Crime documentaries have taken TV by storm, and we’re learning more and more about serial killers, drug lords and the works. I’ll be recommending some of the best True Crime Documentaries that are definitely worth watching.
Nightstalker the Hunt for a Serial Killer: Nightstalker is one of the most recent True Crime TV documentaries by Netflix. This documentary revolves around the hunt for Richard Ramirez. He was convicted for 15 counts of murder, 5 counts of attempted murder, 11 counts of sexual assault and 14 counts of burglary. There is a warning for sexual assault, along with gore and violence. It’s intense and you’ll find yourself biting your nails throughout the series. The near-misses and incompetence of certain parties will have you pulling your hair out with frustration. The crime scene photos are intense and graphic, but having said that, it’s certainly worth watching to see how he was caught.
Crime Scene – the Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel: This Netflix TV documentary revolves around the disappearance of Elisa Lam, who was staying at the Cecil Hotel while visiting Los Angeles. It investigates the days surrounding her disappearance, along with the dark history of the hotel itself. There’s no real resolution, and so many questions are left unanswered so you have to decide which story you believe. Did Elisa Lam commit suicide, or was she murdered? What happened during the days she was missing? Is the hotel hiding something? It’s worth watching, but afterwards, you’ll never want to drink tap water from a hotel again.
I am a Killer: This Netflix TV documentary is a bit different to the previous two. Each episode consists of an interview with a convicted murderer and interviews with the people involved. Unlike Nightstalker or The Ripper, it’s hard to determine if some of these people are killers or if they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Each episode is empathetic towards the incarcerated person and slowly reveals more and more as the episode progresses. Each story is different and relies on you to make moral judgments. It’s worth watching!
Abducted in Plain Sight: This documentary is strange and went under the radar of the Netflix True Crime buffs. It covers the kidnappings of Jan Broberg Felt by Robert Berchtold in the 1970s. This is worth watching just to see how this stranger/paedophile infiltrated a family to groom and kidnap their daughter. There is a heavy warning for sexual assault with this film. You’ll be frustrated with the parents, and you’ll empathise with Jan. The interviews with Jan and her family can be hard to watch, but if anything this documentary will make you wary of strangers appearing and wanting to merge themselves into your family.
My Favourite Murder Podcast: I couldn’t complete this list without including the My Favourite Murder Podcast. This is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It’s hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, and in each episode, they discuss a new murder. They include small-town crimes and the societal issues surrounding them. It usually consists of one host talking about the crime, and the other reacting to the story. They talk about it in a lighthearted way, and you’ll find yourself giggling while they talk. I believe this makes such an impact when they start to discuss the heavier elements of these crimes. I never realised there was such an upbeat and entertaining way to talk about true crime until I listened to these two.