Call me crazy, and you’d probably be right, but I love me some true crime television, and Investigation Discovery is my favorite channel. It’s fortunate I don’t have cable, because if I did, I’d spend all my free time watching criminal investigation shows that I’d likely never get a word written. Although, in my defense, some of these shows could be considered ‘research’ as I plan the story lines for some of my upcoming projects. Especially #2.
3. Evil Lives Here
This show comes from a different angle than most true crime offerings. Instead of seeing the case from the eyes of investigators or crime writers, Evil Lives Here focuses on the morderers’ family lives. Although, their families remember happy times, there were always signs that something wasn’t quite right. Personally, I feel that looking at evil people from this point of view helps me see the perpetrators as human rather than just bad and two-dimensional. The episode that hit closest, literally, followed Robert Hawkins. He was the Von Maur shooter in Omaha–just a couple of hours from my hometown.
2. Web of Lies
I enjoy this show quite a lot. As helpful as the internet is for work and communicating with friends, it’s a really good way for murderers to meet potential victims. Seriously, watch a few episodes, and you’ll view the world wide web in a different way.
1. People Magazine Investigates
This show tops the list, since the crimes it covers involve some of the most high-profile murders in the recent past. The episodes are so well-researched and intriguing, that I couldn’t help but give it the spot of honor.
What are your favorite true crime shows? I’d love to hear your thoughts and check out any that I’ve not seen before.