Since the success, and subsequent decline of Serial, US news stations and true crime fanatics alike have all picked up the baton to bring us fresh content to fill the void. I’ve listed my top true crime podcasts elsewhere on this blog, and if you’re new to the podcast scene I definitely recommend starting there to acclimatise to the genre.

Yet if you’ve binge-listened your way through the big boys, and are looking for fresh cases (aside from those I’ve already reviewed) to get stuck into, here’s my list of the best serialised true crime podcasts you probably haven’t heard of… Happy listening…

Up and Vanished

This is unmissable. A direct result of the investigative news genre, popularised by Serial, Payne Lindsey adopted this mystery whilst looking for the “next big thing”. It deals with the disappearance of Ocilla, Georgia beauty queen and high school history teacher Tara Grinstead, missing since 23rd October 2005. Lindsey sweeps in with amateur equipment, a little help from his nan (an Ocilla resident) and naive abandon, and isn’t afraid to call out anyone and everyone who could be involved.

It’s thoroughly compelling listening, but mid-series I’d be lying if I didn’t worry about this body of work falling into the same trap as Missing Laura Murray (- don’t attempt this one). Thankfully a shock confession soon gave this podcast the shunt up the ass it needed to reinvigorate the audience and Lindsey’s enthusiasm for the case. It’s still ongoing now, and I’m the first to snatch up my headphones when a new episode notification drops on my iPhone.

If I had just one small criticism, it’s Payne Lindsey’s overnight transformation from lovable media-type to podcast celebrity without a modicum of modesty. That’s not to understate his role in stirring the waters and allowing the truth to surface, it’s just an unknown whether this breakthrough would have happened had he not subjected other “suspects” to such intense scrutiny (let us not forget that all his theories were, in fact, wrong). In other words, just how instrumental he was in forcing an admission of murder from the killer, is open to debate - not that Payne recognises this, not at all.

Little Girl Lost: The Unsolved Murder of Leanne Holland

I was gripped from the first episode with this serialised podcast. Dealing exclusively with the murder of 12 year old Australian Leanne Holland, her story is so heartbreakingly relatable it is one of the first times I’ve felt a twinge of voyeuristic guilt. Although the podcast would argue Leanne led a happy “normal” life, there are a warning signs from the off. A product of a broken home, perhaps curiously Leanne (just 6 months old) and her siblngs went on to live with their jobless father. Relocating to a predominantly working class area, Terry Holland largely remained a single stay-at-home dad reliant upon welfare until 1990 whereupon he secured a full-time factory job. Her older sister Melissa would then move into the home to provide the maternal support to Leanne that her father could not. Yet a lack of consistent supervision would see the media portray Leanne as a kind of suburban Lolita roaming the streets and fraternising with adults.

Although Leanne’s body was found in bushland at Ipswich, Queensland in 1991, and her sister’s live-in boyfriend Graham Stafford was subsequently convicted and jailed, his conviction was overturned in 2009. This podcast examines the case, its failings, and benefits from testimony in person from Stafford. It’s still ongoing and I’m yet to reach an opinion on Stafford, but the podcast is doing well to present a compelling and balanced view of the evidence.

Phoebe’s Fall

Having concluded in December 2016, this is obviously all wrapped up now. However, it’s still more than worth a listen. It deals with the life and horrifying (yet fascinating) death of 24 year old Phoebe Handsjuk. She was beautiful and markedly interesting, and seemingly struck gold when she met and became romantically involved with millionaire Antony Hampel, a son of Melbourne’s legal establishment.

Yet Pheobe was found dead in the refuse room of the Balencea, a Melbourne apartment building where the pair lived, after falling 12 floors down a garbage chute. She had plunged 40 metres (feet first) down the chute, and despite surviving the fall, the garbage compactor at the bottom had virtually severed her right foot. Phoebe bled out in the dark, alone, her jeans around her knees before being discovered by concierge the following morning.

Her death was originally recorded as death by misadventure by the Coroner, but there’s a distinct lack of supporting evidence, and doubts as to whether the Coroner’s version was even physically possible. This podcast expertly takes us through the events surrounding Phoebe’s death, and presents an alternative theory that is favoured by her friends and family and gaining traction within the courts.

Accused

Another unsolved case, this podcast delves into the case of 23 year old student Elizabeth Andes, found murdered in her Ohio apartment in 1978. As an investigative podcast, this inevitably faces more of an uphill battle than most owing to fact the crime took place almost 40 years ago. Having said that, the cast of characters are so compelling, and the reporting by Amber Hunt is so solid and respectful, you hope against hope it will reach a resolution before they all die off.

In fact, this case has seen two jury trials over the years. In both, Beth’s then boyfriend Robert Young was the accused. The strongest evidence against him was a “false” confession, with no physical evidence, and the scantest of circumstantial evidence. In both instances Bob Young was acquitted and no other suspects have seen the inside of a courtroom.

This one works so well as Hunt & Co have direct access to many of the key players. Although they try to stay impartial, it is obvious to most that they think the answers lay beyond Bob, and two other suspects are far more likely to have murdered Beth. In fact, in a last bid to clear his name, Bob has endorsed the podcast and appears frequently throughout - lending more weight to his credibility.

There you have it! If you decide to listen to any of my recommendations, do drop by later and let me know what you think. Similarly, if you have any other to add to this list – feel free to comment below or hit me up on Twitter.