There’s something undeniably captivating about true crime. Whether it’s the pulse-pounding drama of a courtroom confession, the chilling details of unsolved mysteries, or the twisted psychology of perpetrators, true crime fascinates us.
For me, my fascination started young—probably too young, if I’m being honest. I vividly remember the early ’90s, when our neighborhood continually left our porch lights on in solidarity for the Jacob Wetterling family. The news headlines are still plastered in my tiny 6-year-old brain, wondering where he could be. Maybe he was hiding in one of the many abandoned barns found along the country roads in southern Minnesota, where I grew up. My eyes would well up in tears as we passed decrepit buildings, thinking he was out there, somewhere, wanting so badly to be reunited with his family. And that maybe, just maybe, I would be the one to help find him.
COURTESY OF MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS
In many ways, our obsession with true crime taps into some of our most primal instincts. Humans are hardwired to seek out stories. We’ve always been storytellers, around campfires, in literature, and now, in the comfort of our homes with a pair of headphones or in front of the TV. But these aren’t just any stories. True crime narratives are like puzzles, filled with complex characters, shocking twists, and moments of suspense. Our brains love trying to piece together what happened, seeking patterns and meaning in a world that, at times, can seem chaotic and unpredictable.
From podcasts like My Favorite Murder and Morbid to bestselling books, documentaries, and true crime-inspired TV shows, our collective obsession has only deepened in recent years. (For a truly excellent podcast about Jacob Wetterling, I highly recommend Season One of In the Dark, beautifully put together by journalist Madeleine Baran.) But why do we, as a society, crave the darker side of humanity? And why does this fascination feel so uniquely intertwined with the culture of places like Minnesota?
Courtesy of Glensheen Mansion/University of Minnesota
The Minnesota Connection: Dark Crimes and the Northern Chill
Minnesota, of course, has its own rich (and unsettling) history of true crime. From the notorious Glensheen Mansion murders in 1977 to the haunting spree of Lois Riess, we’re no strangers to stories that grab national attention. Perhaps it’s the contrast between the state’s tranquil lakes and deep forests with the dark shadows of crime that creates such a compelling narrative tension. Minnesota has long been the setting of stories where the “coldness” of the state—both in weather and temperament—seems to enhance the chilling nature of a crime.
Take, for instance, the infamous Jodi Huisentruit case. A story that still lingers in the air of northern Minnesota, the disappearance of this local news anchor from Mason City in 1995 continues to captivate true crime fans. It’s a mystery filled with eerie unknowns: What happened to Jodi, who disappeared early one morning, and why did this case remain unsolved for so long? Minnesota’s connection to this cold case, along with the haunting fact
Courtesy of Iowa Department of Public Safety
that it remains unresolved, has made it a focal point for true crime enthusiasts. The human desire to know the truth behind a tragedy, especially when the answers seem out of reach, is a driving force that keeps us coming back to this genre.
Fear and Morbid Curiosity
At its core, true crime is about fear. Not just fear of death, but fear of the unknown. What motivates a person to commit such horrific acts? What drives someone to abandon empathy and morality? Many of us want to understand these motivations. True crime stories provide an accessible way to process and confront our darkest fears without actually having to face them. It’s a form of safe exploration, where we can safely dwell in the unknown while never having to experience it firsthand. The psychological fascination with understanding why people do bad things can feel like a way to regain control of the uncontrollable.
True Crime and Our Need for Justice
Another part of the appeal may be the inherent pursuit of justice. We love to see the bad guy get caught. The satisfaction of a case being solved, a mystery unraveled, or justice finally served is powerful. But even when cases are unresolved or when perpetrators evade justice, true crime continues to draw us in, because these stories leave us with something to chew on. They demand our attention and, in many ways, our empathy. As a society, we seem to have an insatiable need to understand why things happen, even if the answers aren’t always comforting.
Take the case of The Zodiac Killer, which, despite being unsolved for decades, still captivates listeners and readers around the world. The thought that a cold-blooded killer could continue to evade justice—and that we may never fully know the answer—keeps us on edge, constantly returning to the case. In Minnesota, there’s no shortage of cases that stir up similar emotions. Whether it’s the mysterious 2008 disappearance of Brandon Swanson in southwestern Minnesota or the Mary and Susan Reker case in St. Cloud from the early ’70s, our state has its own set of unresolved cases, and we often seek closure, not just for the victims, but for ourselves.
Photo by Eric Risberg/Shutterstock
The Human Fascination with Crime and Punishment
The strange allure of true crime is deeply embedded in our cultural fabric. It offers both entertainment and insight, while simultaneously feeding our fascination with mortality, mystery, and justice. Whether it’s the dark histories that weave through the back roads of Minnesota, or the universal questions we ask about the nature of crime, true crime has cemented itself as more than just a genre; it has become a societal phenomenon that allows us to explore the complexity of human nature.
Perhaps the best way to understand why we’re so fascinated with true crime is to accept that some questions don’t have easy answers. Why do we love the drama of real-life crime? Why do we obsess over the killers and victims? Why do we return to these stories again and again? Maybe it’s because they reflect the very real, very human struggle for meaning, justice, and understanding in a chaotic world. Whether we’re reliving the chilling details of a Minnesota crime or piecing together the puzzle of a national mystery, one thing is clear: True crime is here to stay. Stay safe out there, friends.
Do you have a favorite true crime podcast, book, or documentary you’d like to share with us? Send them to Alesha Taylor, editor-in-chief.
