About This Episode
Fifteen-year-old Martha Moxley was beaten to death on the night of October 30, 1975, in the exclusive Belle Haven enclave of Greenwich, Connecticut. The murder weapon was a Tourney Iron 6 golf club that snapped in two against her skull. Now, nearly half a century later, NBC News Studios and investigative journalist Andrew Goldman are putting the case back under the microscope in the 12-episode podcast Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder, which premiered on October 10, 2024 — just ahead of the 49th anniversary of the killing.
A Case Shadowed by a Powerful Dynasty
What made the Martha Moxley case extraordinary from the very beginning was the names that surfaced early in the investigation. Moxley was a neighbor of the Skakel family — a wealthy household with direct ties to the Kennedy dynasty. Brothers Thomas and Michael Skakel were both considered early suspects. Thomas Skakel, who was 17 on the night of the murder, was never formally charged. His younger brother Michael, who was 15 at the time, would not face a courtroom until decades later.
In January 2000 — 25 years after the murder — Michael Skakel was formally indicted. In June 2002, he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison without the possibility of parole. It was a landmark ruling, establishing that he could be tried as an adult despite his age at the time of the crime. But the case was far from over. The Connecticut Supreme Court upheld the conviction in 2013 by a narrow 4-3 vote, only to overturn it entirely five years later — this time on the grounds of ineffective counsel. On October 12, 2018, prosecutors dropped all charges against Skakel, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
For anyone following unsolved murders in the USA, the Skakel case stands as a stark illustration of how wealth and connections can delay — and perhaps permanently deny — justice.
What Does Dead Certain Bring to the Table?
Andrew Goldman is a seasoned investigative journalist, and NBC News Studios has made a significant investment in the production. The series promises original reporting, previously unheard archive audio, and new investigative material gathered over decades. The 12-episode format allows Goldman to unfold the case layer by layer — from the crime scene in Greenwich to the courtrooms of Connecticut and the family secrets that slowly emerged over the years.
For fans of true crime podcasts, Dead Certain delivers on all the classic elements: a privileged gated community, a young girl murdered on Halloween night, the long shadow of a powerful American dynasty, and a justice system that failed repeatedly. The combination of wealth, fame, and perceived impunity has kept this case in the public consciousness for five decades.
The 50th Anniversary Approaches
The timing of the podcast's October 2024 release was no accident. October 30, 2025, marks exactly 50 years since Martha Moxley was killed — and media interest in the anniversary has been intense. Dead Certain positioned itself as the definitive account of the case during precisely the window when public attention is at its highest.
The case is a textbook example of how money and connections can obstruct the wheels of justice. Michael Skakel spent years behind bars before ultimately walking free. No other person has ever been charged. Martha Moxley has never received justice.
Still Unsolved
The Greenwich Police Department and the Connecticut State's Attorney's Office have not brought any new charges since 2018. The case is officially closed without resolution. Goldman and NBC News Studios appear determined to keep the pressure alive — shining a professional journalistic light on a case that many fear is in danger of fading from memory.
For anyone with an interest in American murder cases, Dead Certain is essential listening: a richly produced, deeply researched account of a case that has everything — drama, power, failure, and questions that remain unanswered after 50 years.
