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Artwork for True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History

True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History

Dan Zupansky
True Crime
Murder
Serial Killers
Death Penalty
Ted Bundy
John Wayne Gacy
Los Angeles
Cold Cases
Child Abuse
Mental Health
Mafia
Alex Murdaugh
Investigative Journalism
Murder Investigation
Organized Crime
Charles Schmid
Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting
FBI
I-70 Serial Killer
Melissa Witt

TRUE MURDER—The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History.Every week host Dan Zupansky will interview the true crime authors that have written about the most shocking killers of all time. From true crime history, comes the preeminent true crime authorities in America and the world today.From infamous serial killers, mass murderers, cult leaders and mafia hitmen to family murderers, nazis and hom... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes902Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History

Latest Episodes

Why do certain women become icons of evil? This book offers the first comparative, non-sensationalist account of five of the most reviled women in the modern Anglophone world: Myra Hindley, Rosemary West, Aileen Wuornos, Karla Homolka, and Karla Faye... more

A True Crime Mystery Four Decades in the Making.

On the cold night of January 27, 1976, twenty-two-year-old college student Kyle Clinkscales vanished after leaving his bartending shift at the Moose Club in LaGrange, Georgia. His disappearance baffled... more

One Man. One Mission. Justice. In the Hunt for the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer.

Rodney K. Harrison’s life could have gone the way of the drug dealers he grew up with in South Jamaica, Queens. Instead, a twist of fate and relentless drive led him to bec... more

They hunted together. They killed together. And for years, no one stopped them.

For years, Gerald and Charlene Gallego traveled the highways of California and Nevada, searching for their next victims.

They didn’t look like killers. He was quiet, calc... more

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Recent Guests

Joanna Bourke
Professor of History and author
Episode: FIVE EVIL WOMEN—Joanna Bourke
James B. Longshore
Author of The Death of Kyle Clinkscales
Author, James B. Longshore Books
Episode: THE DEATH OF GEORGIA'S KYLE CLINKSCALES—James B. Longshore and Sheriff Donny Turner
Donny Turner
Sheriff and interview guest
Sheriff, Troop County (Georgia)
Episode: THE DEATH OF GEORGIA'S KYLE CLINKSCALES—James B. Longshore and Sheriff Donny Turner
Rodney K. Harrison
Former police commissioner and author
NYPD, Suffolk County Police Department
Episode: THE COMMISSIONER—Rodney K. Harrison
Raul J. Diaz
Lieutenant, Miami Police Department (retired)
Miami Police Department
Episode: KILLING THE LIEUTENANT—Lt. Raul J. Diaz and Sean Oliver
Sean Oliver
Author, co-writer of Killing The Lieutenant
Author
Episode: KILLING THE LIEUTENANT—Lt. Raul J. Diaz and Sean Oliver
James Lasdun
Journalist and author, specializes in true crime
The New Yorker (interviewee)
Episode: THE FAMILY MAN—James Lasdun
Chris Whitcomb
Former FBI agent, journalist, and author of Broken Plea
Author of Broken Plea
Episode: BROKEN PLEA—Christopher Whitcomb
David J. Farrell Jr.
Attorney and author
Episode: DEAD IN THE WATER—David J. Farrell, Jr.

Host

Dan Zupansky
Host of True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History; journalist and author

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • Mr. Dan Zupansky

    Mr Z will you be attending crimecon in Las Vegas in may 2026? I’m crossing my American fingers you can attend. I LOVE YOUR PODCAST!! Hope your lovely wife is coming

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Babsy bell
    United States3 months ago
  • Good variety and professionally done

    Host is great interviewer and the variety of authors/ guests keep it fresh. Nice variety,

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Metal and water
    United States3 months ago
  • One of my favorite true crime podcasts

    It’s not as fancy as some of the more popular true crime podcasts out there but I like his no frills, just the facts, no big opinions style of the show. He lets the author tell their story about their book and I have even bought some of the books after listening. Some of the earlier episodes have a weird audio thing going on but the newer ones are better. Thanks Dan for a solid option for true crime fans.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cmbb74
    United States4 months ago
  • Great podcast ads are annoying

    I started listing to Dan Zupanski on speaker. Through a phone change I lost track and finally found him again on Audible. I love this podcast and the different stories from people who have researched these stories but the random ads that pop up randomly throughout this podcast have me to the point where I am almost done. Especially since the ads are so much louder than the actual talking. It feels like it’s blowing out my ear drums when I have my headphones in. It’s just annoying and they will c... more

    Audible
    4
    AIMEE LINGLE
    United States7 months ago
  • I started listing to Dan Zupanski on speaker. Through a phone change I lost track and finally found him again on Audible. I love this podcast and the different stories from people who have researched these stories but the random ads that pop up randomly throughout this podcast have me to the point where I am almost done. Especially since the ads are so much louder than the actual talking. It feels like it’s blowing out my ear drums when I have my headphones in. It’s just annoying and they will c... more

    Audible
    4
    AIMEE LINGLE
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans note high-quality guests who add valuable context and book-centric insights.
Some listeners want faster production or audio quality improvements but value the depth of conversations.
A segment of feedback calls out audio issues in older episodes but acknowledges overall strong content.
Listeners praise the host's prepared, concise interviewing style and credible guest lineup.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#181
South Africa/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#190
Spain/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#209
Ukraine/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#229
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#244
Indonesia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

FIVE EVIL WOMEN—Joanna Bourke
Q: How does media depiction influence public perception of these cases, particularly for Hindley and Tucker?
Media focus on faces, mugshots, and sensational narratives amplified fear and moral panic, shaping how society judges these women beyond the facts of the crimes.
THE COMMISSIONER—Rodney K. Harrison
Q: What were the key steps in rebuilding the Gilgo Beach case after taking over as police commissioner in Suffolk County?
He details forming a cross-agency task force, digitizing decades of files, challenging investigative work, and coordinating with DA and FBI to drive the case forward.
THE COMMISSIONER—Rodney K. Harrison
Q: How did you approach the Harlem experience and community relations to avoid policing in a vacuum?
He emphasizes open-door policy, accessibility, and proactive community engagement, arguing that strong relationships with residents and leaders are essential to effective policing.
THE COMMISSIONER—Rodney K. Harrison
Q: Tell us about your life growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, and how it shaped your view of policing.
Harrison describes a challenging urban upbringing that exposed him to violence and the importance of mentorship, leading him to pursue a career in policing as a way to help communities and protect victims.
THE TRIAL OF ARTHUR J. SHAWCROSS—Michael Benson
Q: Why was the Shawcross trial so historic in Rochester?
Because it was televised in its entirety, turning a local murder case into a televised event that captivated audiences for weeks and changed how trials could be consumed by the public.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program concentrates on in-depth conversations with true crime authors and investigators, often tying the subject's book or case to broader themes in policing, justice, and history. Episodes frequently center on investigations, courtroom dynamics, and the social context surrounding notorious murders, with a strong emphasis on narrative detail, source material, and the author's perspective. A notable strength is the host's focused, question-driven interviewing style that lets guests tell their stories with minimal sensationalism, plus a track record of bringing together historical cases, legal insights, and first-hand professional experience. The show stands out for its breadth of guests—from prosecutors and detectives to journalists an... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. True Crime Garage
2. True Crime All The Time
3. Criminology
4. Generation Why: True Crime
5. Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén

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this podcast launched 16 years ago and published 902 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Joanna Bourke
2. James B. Longshore
3. Donny Turner
4. Rodney K. Harrison
5. Raul J. Diaz
6. Sean Oliver
7. James Lasdun
8. Chris Whitcomb

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