The 10 Best True Crime Podcasts About Child Murder Cases
True crime podcasts focusing on child murder cases serve journalists, advocates, and concerned citizens seeking to understand how these tragedies unfold, how investigations proceed, and how justice systems respond to society's most devastating crimes. These podcasts combine investigative journalism with sensitive storytelling to examine cases that have shaped criminal justice reforms and captivated public attention.
Top Child Murder Case Podcasts
1. Someone Knows Something
CBC's David Ridgen investigates unsolved child disappearances and murders across Canada, dedicating entire seasons to single cases. Season one examines the 1972 disappearance of five-year-old Adrien McNaughton, while subsequent seasons explore other cold cases involving young victims. Ridgen's methodical approach includes re-interviewing witnesses, revisiting crime scenes, and uncovering previously overlooked evidence. The podcast has generated new leads in multiple cases and demonstrates how dedicated investigative journalism can breathe new life into decades-old investigations.
2. In the Dark
APM Reports produced two groundbreaking seasons, with season two focusing on the Curtis Flowers case and season one examining the 1989 abduction and murder of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling in Minnesota. Reporter Madeleine Baran's exhaustive investigation into the Wetterling case exposed serious failures in law enforcement responses to child abductions. The podcast won a Peabody Award and influenced how missing children cases are handled nationally. Season one's 9 episodes meticulously reconstruct the investigation and its impact on child safety legislation.
3. Bear Brook
This New Hampshire Public Radio podcast investigates the discovery of four bodies—including two children—found in barrels in Bear Brook State Park in 1985 and 2000. Host Jason Moon follows genetic genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter's work identifying the victims and killer through groundbreaking DNA analysis. The series reveals how Eunsoon Jun and her daughters became victims and how new forensic technology solved a 30-year mystery. The podcast showcases the intersection of traditional detective work and cutting-edge genetic science.
4. Accused
Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Amber Hunt examines controversial convictions, with season two focusing on the Eliza Baker case and other instances where child death investigations may have resulted in wrongful convictions. The podcast explores how investigations into unexplained child deaths can sometimes target innocent caregivers. Hunt presents multiple perspectives, including forensic experts, defense attorneys, and prosecutors. Each season contains 8-12 episodes that challenge listeners to consider how bias and flawed forensic science can influence outcomes.
5. The Teacher's Pet
Australian journalist Hedley Thomas investigates the 1982 disappearance of Lynette Dawson and examines how her teenage daughters were affected by their mother's suspected murder. While primarily focused on Lynette, the podcast extensively covers the trauma inflicted on the Dawson children who lost their mother. The series generated massive public interest in Australia, leading to renewed police investigation and eventual arrest of Chris Dawson in 2018. With over 60 million downloads, it became one of Australia's most influential podcasts.
6. Gone
Produced by School of Humans, this podcast explores missing persons cases with several episodes dedicated to missing children who are suspected murder victims. The series examines cases like Kyron Horman's 2010 disappearance and other high-profile child abduction investigations. Host Cameron Jay thoughtfully presents each case with respect for families while providing comprehensive coverage of investigation details. The podcast emphasizes the ongoing search efforts and community impact when children vanish without resolution.
7. Cold
This investigative podcast from KSL Podcasts and Dave Cawley examines the disappearance and murder of Susan Powell, with significant focus on how her two young sons, Charlie and Braden, were killed by their father Josh Powell in 2012. The 18-episode series meticulously documents the family violence that preceded the murders and the system failures that left the boys vulnerable. Cawley's reporting includes extensive audio evidence and interviews that reveal warning signs authorities missed. The podcast sparked conversations about custody decisions in domestic violence situations.
8. To Live and Die in LA
While primarily focused on adult cases, season one of Neil Strauss's podcast examines the disappearance of Adea Shabani and touches on cases involving young victims in Los Angeles. The cinematic production style and deep investigation into LA's criminal underworld provides context for understanding how vulnerable populations, including children, become crime victims. Strauss's immersive approach includes recorded phone calls and real-time investigation updates. The podcast demonstrates how missing persons investigations evolve in modern urban environments.
9. Your Own Backyard
Chris Lambert's investigative podcast about the 1996 disappearance of 19-year-old Kristin Smart from Cal Poly campus includes examination of other missing young people from the California Central Coast area. Lambert's decade-long investigation directly led to arrests in 2021. The podcast shows how persistent independent journalism can revive cold cases and pressure authorities. With over 8 million downloads, it represents citizen journalism's power in solving crimes against young people and advocating for victims' families.
10. The Ballad of Billy Balls
Irishman Diarmuid Lyng and Donal Fallon investigate the 1973 disappearance and suspected murder of 6-year-old Mary Boyle in Donegal, Ireland's longest-running missing child case. The podcast examines allegations of cover-ups, political interference, and how rural communities handle suspicions about child predators. Through 8 episodes, the hosts interview family members, local residents, and former investigators. The series highlights how unsolved child murders affect entire communities for generations and how cases can remain unresolved due to institutional failures.
Why These Podcasts Matter
These podcasts serve multiple purposes beyond entertainment: they keep cold cases in public consciousness, pressure authorities to reinvestigate dormant cases, and educate listeners about child safety issues. Several have directly contributed to arrests, policy changes, and renewed investigations. They also provide platforms for grieving families to share their stories and keep their children's memories alive while seeking justice.
The sensitive handling of these tragic cases demonstrates how true crime media can balance public interest with respect for victims and their families, while advocating for improvements in how society protects its most vulnerable members.
