‘True crime’ entertainment disrespects victims and their families—and it needs to stop

‘True crime’ entertainment disrespects victims and their families—and it needs to stop

Intimate prison letters written by the convicted murderer and drug trafficker to his ex-wife, Roberta—herself arrested this month on kidnap and threats to kill charges, allegedly made against a documentary producer—were published this month. The explosion of true crime in podcasts, streaming series, and books has fueled our interest in violent and dangerous perpetrators, and has increasingly meant the victims continue to be overlooked. Indeed, Ivan Milat, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer are household names.