Police in the US are making their own true crime podcasts - will it help catch killers?

July 31, 2026

Police departments across the United States are increasingly producing their own true crime podcasts to help solve cold cases and track down fugitives. This strategy has shown some success, with a California podcast helping capture a murder suspect after nearly four years on the run, and an Illinois podcast leading to the discovery of remains from a 40-year-old missing person case within weeks of airing. Aurora Police Department in Colorado recently launched a podcast about the 2016 unsolved murder of Chelsea Yasser, hoping to reach a wider audience than traditional media appeals and generate new leads using forensic genealogy technology.

Who is affected

Chelsea Yasser (21-year-old murder victim from Aurora, Colorado)
Peter Chadwick (fugitive charged with murdering his wife)
Quee Choo Chadwick (Chadwick's murdered wife)
Karen Schepers (missing person for over 40 years, body recently found)
Aurora Police Department investigators and staff
Newport Beach Police Department (California)
Elgin Police Department (Illinois)
Podcast listeners and potential tipsters
Suspects still at large

What action is being taken

Aurora Police Department is testing DNA evidence from the Yasser case using new forensic genealogy technology
APD investigators are pursuing at least one tip generated from the podcast
Police departments across the US and abroad are producing podcasts focused on cold cases

Why it matters

This represents a significant shift in how law enforcement engages with the public to solve crimes, allowing police to control the narrative and accuracy of information while tapping into the enormous popularity of true crime content. The approach expands the reach beyond traditional media appeals to attract potential witnesses who may not have been aware of cases through conventional news coverage, potentially reaching suspects or witnesses who have relocated anywhere in the country. Early successes demonstrate the potential effectiveness of this tool for generating new leads in cases that have gone cold.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC