Serial killer biographies, unsolved mysteries, and violent murder series abound in every form of entertainment. Since the introduction of reality television about 20 years ago, they have captivated the public’s attention in a way that no other genre has. It’s all anyone wants to talk about, solve, or speculate about. But why is that? What does this fascination with the genre say about us, and where does it come from? As a result, this fits with the evolutionary theory that people are drawn to stories in which they can identify with the victim and learn about how to defeat the ‘bad guys.’ Binge-watching true-crime documentaries is a perfect way to spend weekend nights when you feel like just staying at your Brisbane home! We have listed the most-watched documentaries that you can watch on Youtube.
‘Gypsy’s Revenge,’ a chilling documentary, tells the story of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who epitomized the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Things, however, are not always as they seem. What follows is a story about Gypsy Rose orchestrating her mother’s murder after years of psychological and physical abuse.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw_WAICif34
The Slender Man legend had gone too far in 2014 when 12-year-olds Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier lured their friend Payton Leutner into the woods near their Waukesha, Wisconsin, homes and stabbed her 19 times. Morgan revealed during the trial that she thought Slender Man would harm her family if she didn’t kill on his behalf.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEL_Hm210rI
‘Framed by the Golden State Killer?’ with Investigative Reporter Lilia Luciano delves into the 1975 slaying of a young girl in Exeter, California. Oscar Clifton, a local handyman, was found guilty of the crime by a jury, but was he the real killer? According to interviews with friends and family, Clifton was framed by Joseph DeAngelo, the man who police say went on to become the Golden State Killer.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CKgiRaBvuI
In 2007, Robert ‘Willie’ Pickton, a former multi-millionaire and pig farmer, was convicted of being a serial killer. Six women, mostly sex workers from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, were among his victims, whose bodies he fed to his pigs on his farm. He confessed to an inmate that he was aiming for the “big 5-0” and could have killed up to 49 women.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3HfVIurJA8
Dr Andrew Bagby, 28, was discovered dead in a Pennsylvania park in 2001. His ex-girlfriend had shot him, and she fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail while pregnant with Andrew’s child. Andrew’s enraged parents campaign to reclaim custody of their son and convict his assailant. Kurt Kuenne combines this story with home movies and interviews with people who knew Andrew in the hopes of allowing his best friend’s son to learn more about his father.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tssXjOpPU-E
JonBenet Ramsey, a 6-year-old pageant queen, was found murdered at her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996. Her parents reported her missing, and her body was discovered eight hours later in the basement. The case has yet to be solved. Former investigators team up with new experts in this docuseries to re-examine the unsolved murder. There are so many twists and turns in this story that you won’t know what to believe by the end.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBUQO2u-eD4
Sophie Lionnet, their 21-year-old nanny who looked after their two children, was murdered by a couple in 2017. They threw her body on a bonfire in their backyard garden after murdering her, attempting to cover up the crime by burning her remains. The investigation would reveal the nanny’s shocking torture and abuse while working for the family, which would eventually lead to her death.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OR1CmzZTsA
In 2007, Lindsay Hawker, a British college student, took a semester off to study and teach English in Japan. She felt obligated to agree to teach English to a local Japanese man after an odd encounter on the street. She, on the other hand, vanished after her first session with him. The killer mutilated his face and underwent plastic surgery to avoid being caught.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmeHeUNZghk
Beverley Allitt, a nurse at the hospital where she worked, killed four children, attempted to kill three more, and harmed another six children in 1991. She would give large doses of insulin to children over the course of three months, some of whom were admitted to the hospital for relatively minor health issues and others who were disabled. She earned the moniker “Angel of Death.”
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eerUbqV6Md4
Stephen McDaniel dismembered his neighbour Lauren Giddings’ body after murdering her on a college campus, placing each part of her body in various trash cans around campus. McDaniel was seen on the news before her body was discovered, claiming that he was friends with Lauren and was worried about her while they were searching for her. Investigators brought Stephen in for questioning once they realized he was the murderer. This video depicts the cold-blooded killer’s disturbing and creepy interrogation.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5fZTeW3MpE
People who aren’t interested in true-crime stories may think you’re weird for liking them, but your fascination with the macabre doesn’t indicate a proclivity for criminal behaviour. While true crime podcasts deal with sensitive topics, they can be used for educational purposes, providing useful information on life-saving incidents as well as examples of what you can do in the future to stay safe based on past cases. Sit back and enjoy the show!