Best Serial Killer Podcasts (2026)
Serial killer podcasts sit at the darker end of true crime, and the best ones take the subject seriously. Good research, respectful treatment of victims and genuine forensic detail separate the worthwhile shows from the exploitative ones. These 8 get it right.
Waking up with a podcast on iOS
Podcast Alarm is a fully featured podcast player and alarm. You can set up queues of your favourite episodes and listen to them whenever you like. Why not subscribe to your favourite podcast and have the latest episode wake you up every weekday morning. There are lots of screenshots and videos in our "How to set a podcast as an alarm on iphone?" blog post.
1. Casefile True Crime
An anonymous Australian narrator tells true crime stories with meticulous research and zero sensationalism. The serial killer episodes — covering the Golden State Killer, EAR/ONS and others — are multi-part investigations that rival any documentary. No banter, no ads mid-story, just impeccable storytelling.
2. Last Podcast on the Left
Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski bring dark comedy to serial killers, cults and the macabre. Their multi-part deep dives into figures like BTK, Jeffrey Dahmer and the Zodiac are exhaustively researched despite the humour. Not for everyone, but if the tone clicks with you, nothing else compares.
3. True Crime Garage
Nic and the Captain crack a beer and dig into a case each week. The vibe is two mates discussing a crime over drinks, but the research is serious. Multi-part series on the Zodiac, Israel Keyes and the Long Island Serial Killer are highlights. One of the longest-running true crime podcasts and still going strong.
4. My Favorite Murder
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark pioneered the conversational true crime format and built a massive community around it. Each episode features a murder story from each host, told with dark humour and genuine empathy. The show that launched the "murderino" movement and proved true crime podcasting had mainstream appeal.
5. Sword and Scale
Mike Boudet uses real audio — 911 calls, police interviews, court recordings — to tell true crime stories with minimal narration. The production quality is high and the cases are often ones you haven't heard elsewhere. Fair warning: some episodes are genuinely difficult to listen to given the source material.
6. Canadian True Crime
Kristi Lee covers Canadian cases that rarely get international attention, including serial killers like Robert Pickton and Bruce McArthur. The research is exceptional and the storytelling puts victims first. A reminder that some of the most disturbing cases happen outside the spotlight.
7. They Walk Among Us
A UK true crime podcast covering British cases with careful research and measured delivery. Their episodes on Fred and Rose West, Dennis Nilsen and Harold Shipman are thorough without being gratuitous. If you prefer your true crime straight and well-sourced, this is the one.
8. Bear Brook
In 1985, a barrel containing two bodies was found in Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire. Fifteen years later, two more barrels appeared. This podcast follows the decades-long investigation and the DNA technology that finally cracked the case. One of the best single-story true crime podcasts ever produced.
Start Your Morning with a Great Podcast
Set any of these podcasts as your alarm with Podcast Alarm and wake up to something worth listening to.
Waking up with a podcast on iOS
Podcast Alarm is a fully featured podcast player and alarm. You can set up queues of your favourite episodes and listen to them whenever you like. Why not subscribe to your favourite podcast and have the latest episode wake you up every weekday morning. There are lots of screenshots and videos in our "How to set a podcast as an alarm on iphone?" blog post.
