Dive into the best of the true crime genre with our top 10 picks from Crime Junkie, a classic of classic and an all-time favorite podcast for many mystery fans. Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat guide you through the darkest true crime stories, unsolved cases and mysteries.
What will you find here? A selection of episodes with stories of shocking crimes, mysterious vanishings, and unexpected turns. From newest to oldest. What’s the criteria? We included some fan favorites we found in forums, and we added some personal choices, too.
What do these episodes have in common? Their deep dive into each case and compelling way of storytelling will have you hooked, making it hard to stop listening. These episodes will definitely grab your attention and leave a lasting impression after listening. So get ready for a trip into the heart of true crime with these best Crime Junkie episodes.
Murdered: Jodi Sanderholm
- Release date: February 12, 2024
- Duration: 50 minutes
Jodi’s disappearance led to a terrible discovery and prompted Jodi’s Law against stalking. The power of a community’s fight for justice.
MURDERED: Jodi Sanderholm 2/12/2024 00:50:49
In Arkansas City, Kansas, Jodi Sanderholm, a 19-year-old college student, didn’t return from dance rehearsal in January 2007. A huge search began, but hope faded when her body was found in the Kaw Wildlife Area and her car in a lake nearby. A man who had been stalking her for nearly a decade was arrested.
Ash and Brit make a fantastic episode that although it’s very recent, could become a new classic. But there is some light in the story too, the people that loved Jodi made a huge effort and now Kansas has the Jodi’s Law, which protects better against stalking.
A touching story of tragedy, justice, and the power of community advocacy.
Murdered: Sasha Samsudean
- Release date: May 22, 2023
- Duration: 35 minutes
After a night out, Sasha’s home becomes a crime scene, leading to a security guard’s conviction in a shocking murder case.
MURDERED: Sasha Samsudean 5/22/2023 00:35:49
After a night out in October 2015, 27-year-old Sasha Samsudean goes missing in Orlando, Florida. Her friends fear the worst when when she doesn’t answer calls. Police find her at home, but she’s been murdered. A security guard at her apartment complex is later found guilty of her murder.
Ash and Brit prepare an excellent episode where they explore this horrible crime and point out the dangers in familiar places.
This story not only captures the tragic end of a young woman’s life but also the swift justice that followed, underlining the importance of vigilance and community safety.
Murdered: Shari Smith and Debra HelmickÂ
- Release date: August 15, 2022
- Duration: 53 minutes
Abductions, creepy calls, and a sinister killer. Discover a horrible mystery in this must-listen episode.
MURDERED: Shari Smith and Debra Helmick 8/15/2022 00:53:34
Ashley and Brit dive into Larry Gene Bell’s terrifying moves. At 17, Shari’s abduction kicks off a horrendous period for her family, when Shari was missing and they got the most threatening call from the kidnapper. But there’s more to the story. Another girl went missing. What happened to them? How are these situations linked? And what’s in the mind of the predator? Listen in to discover it with this top Crime Junkie episode.
Missing: The Millbrook Twins
- Release date: August 8, 2022
- Duration: 47 minutes
An overlooked case is being solved through Crime Junkie’s lasting pursuit of justice.
MISSING: The Millbrook Twins 8/8/2022 00:47:26
In 1990, 15-year-old Dannette and Jeannette Millbrook vanished in Augusta, Georgia. Quickly dismissed as runaways, their case was ignored for years. Ashley and Brit go back to the case and pay attention to some details that were overlooked. Plus they point out the failures of the system. If done right, can a reasonable investigation discover what happened to the twins? A great story on persistence, a long-ignored mystery and compelling storytelling make for a one of a kind episode.
Murdered: Mary Lynn Witherspoon
- Release date: January 3, 2022
- Duration: 40 minutes
A dedicated schoolteacher with a terrifying stalker, a shocking murder, and a twist you won’t see coming.
MURDERED: Mary Lynn Witherspoon 1/3/2022 00:40:16
Mary Lynn Witherspoon, a teacher in Charleston, lived a true nightmare for over twenty years when she was stalked by an ex boyfriend, Tennent Brown. He should have been locked away, but instead, a horrifying sequence of events led to her death. The case shocked the community, not only because it was exceptional and tremendous but also because she was a teacher well known in the community. When she vanished one day, everyone feared the worst. Dive into this dark tale with Ashley and Brit as they reveal the secrets behind this heartbreaking story.
Captured: Jennifer Pan
- Release date: June 21, 2021
- Duration: 37:15
Get to know Jennifer Pan’s case in an episode that mixes deep psychology with investigative details.
CAPTURED: Jennifer Pan 6/21/2021 00:37:15
Ashley and Brit explore a famous case and a classic in the true crime genre: the case of Jennifer Pan. They do it as no other. They take us deep into Pan’s plot to attack her parents, making each detail totally fascinating. What will you get here? You’ll discover Pan’s (incredible) mind, her plan to kill her own parents, its execution (she killed her mother and injured her father) and the investigation. A shocking story but also very engaging. Plus, there’s more to discuss with the 2023 retrial news, opening new conversations about justice.
Survived: Elizabeth Smart
- Release date: March 8, 2021
- Duration: 17 minutes
Abducted at 14, Elizabeth Smart’s incredible survival story and her transformation into an activist will impact you.
SURVIVED: Elizabeth Smart 3/8/2021 01:17:34
Join Ashley and Brit and discover the unbelievable story of Elizabeth Smart’s abduction. Kidnapped at 14 and held captive for nine months, this is a story of survival and courage. The episode explores the depths of her trial and her amazing journey becoming an advocate for child safety.
Infamous: Las Cruces Bowling Alley Massacre
- Release date: January 4, 2021
- Duration: 44 minutes
Two gunmen, seven lives. Fight for justice, secrets disclosed. Crime Junkie investigates.
INFAMOUS: Las Cruces Bowling Alley Massacre 1/4/2021 00:44:41
Imagine a peaceful town devastated by unexpected violence. That’s exactly what happened in Las Cruces (1990). Two gunmen opened fire in a Las Cruces bowling alley, killing five and leaving the community with many questions but not so many answers. What happened to the criminals? They disappeared. A complete mystery. Ashley and Brit go in detail through the crime scene, the investigation, and the stories of the survivors. A small town in New Mexico waits for justice.
Murdered: Lindsay Buziak
- Release date: January 6, 2020
- Duration: 41 minutes
Explore the mystery of a real estate agent’s brutal death.
MURDERED: Lindsay Buziak 1/6/2020 00:41:07
Ashley and Brit take us through another tragic story: the unsolved case of Lindsay Buziak, a young real estate agent murdered in Victoria, BC. One minute at a time, you’re pulled into the story of her horrific death at a luxury home, a murder mystery with more questions than answers. Even today. Many efforts were made to clarify what happened, yet they couldn’t find out who killed her.
Another story where life finished too short and left those who loved her and the community searching for closure.
Serial killer: Charlie Brandt
- Release date: July 22, 2019
- Duration: 44 minutes
An apparently normal man with a dark secret hides a trail of unsolved murders.
SERIAL KILLER: Charlie Brandt 7/22/2019 00:44:19
Ashley and Brit get their hands on another classic in the true crime genre, the case of Charly Brandt: a serial killer, a man who hides a dark secret. Starting with a tragic event at 13, he later killed his wife and niece in 2004. His strange interest in human anatomy points to other murders across Florida. We are talking about more than 30 possible victims. A brutal story as not many.
Ash and Brit really know how to go through the mind of the killer. A story where reality is scarier than fiction that reminds us that danger can hide in plain sight.
Serial killer: Israel Keyes
- Release date: May 6, 2019
- Duration: 42 minutes
Discover an elusive serial killer and mastermind of horror. Crack his twisted psyche.
SERIAL KILLER: Israel Keyes 5/6/2019 00:42:32
Israel Keyes’ reign of terror spanned from 1997 to 2012, that’s quite a long time. He didn’t just kill: he also robbed banks, set fires, and kidnapped. His end came by his own hand in jail, along with a note and disturbing drawings. Keyes is linked to at least eleven deaths, possibly more. Ashley and Brit explore his case in detail and show a long history of violence. Get ready to go into darkness.
Murdered: The Powell Family
- Release date: October 1, 2018
- Duration: 46 minutes
Uncover the horrible tale of Susan Powell’s disappearance and the brutal fate of her sons.
MURDERED: The Powell Family 10/1/2018 00:46:35
This episode covers the disappearance of Susan Powell. What heppened to her during their camping trip? This is still a mystery. The tragic end of her sons with their father, Josh, years later, in a murder–suicide episode adds to the case. Ashley and Brit take us through this heart-breaking story, an investigation that discloses disturbing family secrets and a search for justice that grew in the nation.
Captured: Ashley Freeman & Lauria Bible’s Killer
- Release date: May 14, 2018
- Duration: 35 minutes
Two friends vanish after their parents’ murder. Unexpected revelations, but where are their remains?
CAPTURED: Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible’s Killer 5/14/2018 00:35:04
In 1999, Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman disappeared after Ashley’s parents were murdered and their house burned down. The mystery remained for years, fueling speculation and theories. A breakthrough in 2018 provided some answers but left a question: where are Lauria and Ashley? This episode is an emotional ride that reveals shocking truths about a heartbreaking case. Join Ashley and Brit for a journey through this tragedy.
Now you have an unbeatable list to start with Crime Junkie, if you are not a fan yet. And what about you? Do you already have your favorite true crime episodes? Is there any best Crime Junkie episode you miss on this list? Please let us know.
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