Ruby Franke, Gabby Petito and the Zodiac killer are all names you’ve probably seen online, each carrying a bone-chilling crime story that the media has followed for years.
Murder, abuse and manipulation are recurring themes that resonate with true-crime fans and allow them to partake in the investigation themselves. Those fans enjoy true-crime documentaries, a nonfiction genre that showcases the experiences of those involved in the crime and its lasting impacts on their lives.
Although there have been a variety of recently debuted crime series, the ones that seemingly have the most recognition include Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, about a mother who exploited her children on a family vlogging channel and was arrested for child abuse; American Nightmare, about a couple accused of staging an invasion and kidnapping; and Monsters, a reenactment of the life of the Menendez brothers, who murdered their parents after enduring years of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
America’s infatuation with true-crime documentaries has not gone unnoticed. The psychology behind this obsession was further looked into by Shortform, who found that Americans’ obsession with true crime appeals to the desire to see justice served. Conversely, the University of North Carolina of Chapel Hill wrote that people are drawn to these stories out of curiosity. They wonder about the motivations of the criminals and enjoy the thrill of cracking real-life mysteries.
Senior Naomi Negussie’s favorite documentary is The Menendez Brothers. The Menendez case fascinates Negussie because the case has been reopened three times in the past 35 years due to the widespread attention from the media. Negussie said this could lead to the case’s destruction through conspiracy theories and absurd interpretations of evidence, swaying the direction of the trials. “A lot of these infamous crimes are so bizarre and so different from the things that happen around us, so it really grabs people’s attention,” Negussie said.
Sophomore Taylor Robinson found the Netflix series Dahmer captivating. The series depicts the life of Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer who brutally abused and murdered 17 boys and young men. “I find it intriguing because I get a closer look at Dahmer’s motives and why he killed so many people,” Robinson said. “The public’s fascination comes from society not having as many notorious serial killers compared to recent decades, making the stories more compelling.”
Sophomore Annika Gully’s favorite real-life mystery series is Monsters. Gully especially found it interesting because of the controversy surrounding the Menendez brothers’ jail sentencing, especially after all these years with a higher chance of receiving parole. “I think people nowadays are so interested in these types of stories because there are always two perspectives, which can spark arguments,” Gully said.
