At Urban List, we’re downright obsessed with the best true crime podcasts. For the super sleuths among us, there’s never enough heart-pounding, jaw-dropping content to satisfy our curiosity about the darker side of humanity. Whether you're commuting, hitting the gym, or winding down at night (if you dare), these podcasts are guaranteed to grip your attention from the first episode.
We’ve scoured the web to bring you the top true crime podcasts that are equal parts chilling and compelling. If you’re in the mood for shocking mysteries, criminal masterminds, and cold case revelations, this list will keep you hooked for hours in 2025.
Poisoned
This popular Aussie podcast dives into the case of a mother accused of drugging her one-year-old baby to make her appear sick for her million-plus social media followers. As the police investigation into the matter got underway in Queensland, Poisoned began exploring theories, interviewing friends and family, and having important discussions about child safety on social media. Poisoned releases episodes alongside the real-time developments in this case. So, if you ever listened to a true crime podcast and wished you’d gotten in on the ground level, now’s your chance.
Crime Junkie
If you’re a little bit obsessed with True Crime in general, you’ll probably enjoy Crime Junkie. Hosted by two friends who are just as (if not more) obsessed with pouring over evidence and exploring popular theories, Crime Junkie is a long-running podcast that explores different cases—the infamous, the lesser known, and the super cold—every week. So, whether you want to hear about a new and crazy case every week or are searching for that next story to consume your brain and take all your sleuthing energy for the foreseeable future, you can catch new episodes every Monday.
Hello, John Doe
Imagine discovering your missing person’s page online—it’s a nightmare turned reality for Steve Patterson. Hello, John Doe follows Steve's shocking discovery and his collaboration with amateur cyber detective Todd Matthews to uncover a mysterious past packed with kidnappings, secrets, and even murder. This ten-part series pulls listeners into a labyrinth of twists and turns as sordid family histories unfold. If you’re into investigative podcasts with a personal touch, this one will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Bone Valley
For those who love an in-depth exploration of criminal cases, Bone Valley is a must-listen. This gripping podcast tells the story of Leo Schofield, who was convicted of his wife Michelle’s murder in Florida. Despite compelling evidence pointing to another suspect, Leo remains behind bars. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King, this nine-part series delves deep into the justice system’s failures, asking tough questions about wrongful convictions and how justice can be elusive even when new evidence surfaces. Bone Valley will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Chameleon: Wild Boys
One of the strangest and most fascinating stories to hit the true crime world, Chameleon: Wild Boys chronicles the bizarre tale of two half-starved boys who emerged from the Canadian wilderness in 2003, claiming to have been raised entirely off the grid. The locals took them in, but soon, suspicions arose. Their advanced vocabulary and inconsistencies in their story prompted an investigation that revealed a far darker truth than anyone expected. This podcast will keep you guessing and questioning the nature of deception.
The Teacher's Accuser
From the news crew that brought you The Teacher's Pet and The Teacher's Trial podcasts, comes their latest addictive series The Teacher's Accuser. If you've been keeping up with the Chris Dawson case, this should come as no surprise. A bit of background for those who need to catch up—the aforementioned podcast shows ultimately investigate the mysterious disappearance of Lynette Simms, a Sydney woman who vanished in 1982.
They essentially expose the life of Chris Dawson, Lynette's husband and a former rugby player and schoolteacher, who becomes the primary suspect in her disappearance, exploring allegations of infidelity, secrets within their marriage, and raises questions about the potential involvement of others in Lynette's case.
The Teacher’s Accuser, basically features news and analysis from the trial of now convicted murderer Chris Dawson who stands accused of having unlawful sex with a 16-yearold in 1980 when he was working as a physical education teacher on Sydney’s northern beaches.
The Coldest Case In Laramie
Kim Barker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times, revisits an unsolved murder that took place while she was in high school in Laramie, Wyoming, nearly 40 years ago. She confronts the conflicting stories people have told themselves about the crime because of an unexpected development: the arrest of a former Laramie police officer accused in the murder.
Dr Death
Few true crime podcasts rattle our brains quite like Dr Death. What started as a one-off series telling the deeply horrifying story of 'Dr' Christopher Duntsch and his spinal patients who often came out of surgery with debilitating complications, has now grown into a multi-season anthology podcast casting some serious medical light into a number of cases where doctors are not all they seem.
Secrets, Lies & Alibis
Easily one of the best true crime podcasts of the past year, this masterpiece covers the devastating double homicide of Cheryl Williams and Carol Bareis in Altamonte Springs, Florida in June 2004. Red flags are raised when deputies learn of one person’s run-in with the law, one person’s mental health history with the state, and one illegal immigrant whose whereabouts the night of the murders are in question.
Serial
We’re going to go ahead and call this the OG of true crime podcasts. Hosted by journalist Sarah Koenig, Serial follows the 1999 murder of American high-school student Hae Min Lee. Her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was arrested for the crime, and within a year, he was sentenced to life in prison. The case against him was largely based on the story of one witness, Adnan’s friend Jay, who testified that he helped Adnan bury Hae's body. But Adnan has always maintained he had nothing to do with Hae’s death. Koenig sorts through thousands of documents and interviews with Adnan to try to get to the bottom of the case.
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12 Minute True Crime
For those who love a cheeky crime story but are short on time, 12 Minute True Crime is definitely for you. This often horrifically frightening stories of murder and mystery are concisely summarised in just enough time to drive from home to the shops or for a short fix when you’re waiting for an appointment. The podcast examines some strange and curious stories such as the Mummy Murderer and Slaughterhoue Murder which will have you absolutely hooked and wanting more.
The Sydney Siege
December 15, 2014 was one of Australia’s darkest days when an armed gunman took 18 hostages in the heart of Sydney’s busy Lindt Cafe. 17 hours later, two innocent lives were lost, the terrorist was dead and the bustling Martin Place would never be the same again.
The podcast examines the timeline off the siege with several interviews and recounts both from eyewitnesses and those who were in the heart of the unfolding action. An incredibly heart wrenching and suspenseful portrayal of the events, your heart will be beating in double time as you listen.
The Disappearance Of Des
On 2nd August 1979, Desmond Francis Carr went to work alone on an outback road in rural WA and was meant to be collected from a work location at the end of the day, but when his colleague arrived around 4pm to grab him, his road roller’s engine was left running but there was no sign of Mr. Carr. The Disappearance of Des takes you down a rabbit hole full of unexpected twists and turns on the desperate hunt for answers.
Expanse: Pink Diamond Heist
This freshly released ABC Podcast trails a daring outback heist through the deep Western Australian outback with plenty of odd characters, dirty deals and unfathomable dollars worth of precious diamonds. With a new episode dropping weekly, you’ll hear a little piece of Australia’s dark jewel history.
Who Killed Dr Bogle & Mrs Chandler?
This podcast explores one of the world’s most confusing and baffling cold cases in history. On January 1 1963, well known physicist Dr Gilbert Bogle and his wife Margaret were found dead beside the picturesque Lane Cove River in Sydney not far from their home, with absolutely no evidence to suggest how they died. 60 years later, new technology has allowed advancements in examination of toxicological evidence that will leave listeners gripped until the stunning conclusion.
The Glitch
Imagine realising that your ATM card could withdraw millions of delicious dollars without ever actually earning it. This is exactly what happened to ordinary Aussie Dan Saunders who managed to withdraw $1.6 million dollars of other people’s money before blowing it all in less than four months. The Glitch follows Dan’s journey of sex, drugs, charitable donations and his eventual downfall in an incredibly riveting way.
Who Killed Daphne?
When a car bomb kills Daphne Caruana Galizia on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta, the hunt for her killers exposes secrets with consequences that go far beyond its shores. In the aftermath of her death an international team of journalists comes together to continue her work.
Along the way, they start to uncover clues that might lead to her killers. From Wondery, comes a new story about power, corruption and one woman’s fight for the truth. Hosted by investigative reporter Stephen Grey. This story is also unravelling in the news right now, so best to jump on it stat.
Should Be Alive
Should Be Alive investigates the 2019 murder of a transgender teenage girl named Nikki Kuhnhausen in Vancouver, Washington. In this true crime podcast, host Ashlet Korslien explores issues facing trans people and highlights an increasing number of acts of violence against the trans community. Super interesting and informative, you’ll also love this one because it’s from the team that brought you the award-winning investigative true crime podcasts The Yellow Car and Urge To Kill.
Final Days On Earth
In season two of this cracking true crime podcast you probably haven’t heard about yet, we’re taken through the disappearance of Jennifer Harris from Bonham, Texas on Mother’s Day, 2002. On the final night of Jennifer’s known whereabouts, she left the house to visit a mate but in the coming days after, the when, how and why her car was left abandoned on the side of the road remained in the air.
Australian True Crime
Easily one of the best true crime podcasts in Australia, Australian True Crime is like a never ending anthology of the good stuff. Australia’s suburbs are home to some of the most mysterious and disturbing true crime cases in the world. With the brains of Meshel Laurie (bonafide true crime enthusiast) and Emily Webb (true crime author), episodes probe investigators, perpetrators, writers and victims to find out the truth.
Run Bambi, Run
This new Apple TV+ Original podcast investigates the real life story of Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek, a stunning 21-year-old Milwaukee police officer who was dubiously convicted of killing her new husband's ex-wife, before braving a daring escape as part of a years-long quest to clear her name. Okay, let us explain.
Run Bambi, Run tales the infamous 1980s Playboy Bunny turned cop turned murderer and yes, you will absolutely fly through this one. If you've never heard this one, Laurie was basically a tabloid fixation and a feminist cause célèbre after she escaped prison. This story has been dubbed the 'most glamourus murder case of the 1980s' so plug yourself in, you're in for a goodie.
Up And Vanished
When it comes to true crime podcasts you’re often left hanging at the end of the series, with no resolution. That’s not the case with Up And Vanished and its host Payne Lindsey who’s first season helped to solve the 12-year-old cold case of Tara Grinstead.
Casefile
What started in 2016 as a one-person side project has grown into an award-winning podcast that includes teams based across multiple continents. In each episode Casefile deep dives into the circumstances, investigations and trials of both solved and unsolved cases from all over the world.
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