The 10 Best True Crime Podcasts About Unsolved Cases
True crime podcasts dedicated to unsolved cases offer listeners the unique opportunity to explore mysteries that remain open, often bringing fresh attention and new leads to investigations that have gone cold. These carefully researched series combine investigative journalism with compelling storytelling, appealing to amateur sleuths and concerned citizens who believe that every victim deserves justice, no matter how much time has passed.
Top Unsolved Case Podcasts
1. Someone Knows Something - Hosted by veteran Canadian filmmaker David Ridgen, this CBC podcast examines a different cold case each season with meticulous attention to detail. The series launched in 2016 and has investigated cases like the 1972 disappearance of five-year-old Adrien McNaughton and the unsolved murder of Kerrie Brown. Ridgen's compassionate approach to interviewing witnesses and his willingness to spend months in communities affected by these tragedies has resulted in new tips being submitted to police in multiple cases.
2. Up and Vanished - Payne Lindsey's breakout podcast began in 2016 with the disappearance of Georgia beauty queen and teacher Tara Grinstead, who vanished in 2005. The podcast's investigation directly contributed to arrests in the case, with two men charged in 2017. Subsequent seasons have tackled other missing persons cases including Kristal Reisinger's 2016 disappearance in Colorado. The series demonstrates how podcast investigations can generate real-world results, with millions of downloads bringing unprecedented attention to forgotten cases.
3. The Vanished - Since 2016, host Marissa Jones has produced over 400 episodes covering missing persons cases across America, giving voice to families whose loved ones have disappeared without a trace. Each episode focuses on a single case, featuring interviews with family members, friends, and investigators. The podcast prioritizes cases that receive little media attention, often involving marginalized communities. Jones maintains a database of all covered cases and regularly provides updates when new information emerges.
4. Bear Brook - This investigative podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio unravels one of the most bizarre cold cases in American history: four bodies found in barrels in Bear Brook State Park between 1985 and 2000. Host Jason Moon explores how revolutionary genealogy techniques finally identified the victims and killer decades later. The eight-episode series won a Peabody Award and demonstrates how modern DNA technology is solving seemingly impossible cases that stumped investigators for generations.
5. Your Own Backyard - Chris Lambert's podcast investigating the 1996 disappearance of California Polytechnic State University student Kristin Smart became a phenomenon that directly influenced the case's progression. Lambert began the podcast in 2019 after years of researching Smart's vanishing from campus. His dogged reporting kept public pressure on authorities, and in 2021, Paul Flores was arrested and charged with Smart's murder, with his father charged as an accessory, demonstrating citizen journalism's power.
6. Serial Season One - Sarah Koenig's 2014 examination of the 1999 murder of Baltimore high school student Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed revolutionized podcasting. The twelve-episode investigation questioned whether Syed received a fair trial, scrutinizing evidence and witness testimony. With over 300 million downloads, Serial sparked worldwide debate about the case, influenced legal proceedings, and established the template for investigative true crime podcasts. Syed's conviction was ultimately vacated in 2022.
7. In the Dark Season Two - APM Reports investigative journalist Madeleine Baran spent season two examining the case of Curtis Flowers, a Black man tried six times for the same quadruple murder in Mississippi. The 2018 season uncovered prosecutorial misconduct and racial bias in jury selection. The podcast's investigation led to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Flowers' conviction in 2019, and charges were eventually dropped in 2020. The series won a Peabody Award for its rigorous reporting.
8. Unconcluded - This Australian podcast hosted by Englishman Colin McLaren investigates some of Australia's most baffling unsolved cases with a focus on cases where police investigations may have missed crucial evidence. McLaren, a former detective, brings insider law enforcement perspective while questioning official conclusions. The podcast has covered cases including the Belanglo State Forest murders and the disappearance of the Beaumont children in 1966, Australia's most infamous missing persons case that continues to captivate the nation.
9. The Lighthouse - This Irish podcast investigates the 1996 disappearance of 18-year-old Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a French television producer murdered near her holiday home in West Cork, Ireland. Despite extensive investigations by Irish and French authorities, no one has been convicted in Irish courts. The podcast explores the complex international legal issues, local rumors, and investigative failures that have prevented resolution. The case remains one of Ireland's most notorious unsolved murders.
10. Cold - Journalist Dave Cawley's investigation into the disappearance and death of Susan Powell is a masterclass in podcast storytelling. The eighteen-episode series examines how Powell vanished from her Utah home in 2009 while her husband Josh became the prime suspect. Though Josh killed himself and their two sons in 2012 before being charged, Susan's body has never been found. Released in 2018, the podcast incorporates extensive research, police recordings, and interviews to create a comprehensive timeline of a tragic case.
Why These Podcasts Matter
These podcasts serve a purpose beyond entertainment, functioning as archives of unsolved cases and platforms for families seeking justice. By maintaining public awareness, these shows ensure that cold cases remain in the collective consciousness, potentially generating the crucial tip that investigators need. The success stories—cases solved or reopened due to podcast attention—validate this approach to investigative journalism and demonstrate that dedicated storytelling can drive real change in the pursuit of truth.
