How One True Crime Writer Started Solving Murders

Five thousand murders go unsolved in the United States every year. That means each American killer has a 38% chance of not getting caught, remaining free to listen to the inevitable true crime podcast about their deeds. People all over the world love sharing stories of lurid murder. But what if true crime fans could do more than just listen? What if modern technology and marketing skills can help you solve those crimes yourself, while ALSO blowing the lid off a decades-old 'Star Wars' mystery?

On this episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by writer, investigator, and 'Jensen and Holes: The Murder Squad' co-host Billy Jensen. You'll hear amazing stories from Billy's new book Chase Darkness with Me: How One True-Crime Writer Started Solving Murders. You'll also discover how to help investigate murders from home, learn how your DNA can catch the next "Golden State Killer"-type maniac, and find out exactly who passed up the chance to be Han Solo.

Footnotes:

Chase Darkness with Me: How One True-Crime Writer Started Solving Murders by Billy Jensen

Billy's book tour dates & further info

Jensen and Holes: The Murder Squad

Billy's Star Wars story "Finding BoShek"

Michelle McNamara Died Pursuing the Golden State Killer. Her Husband, Patton Oswalt, Has Questions for Him. (The New York Times)

After Arrest Of Suspected Golden State Killer, Details Of His Life Emerge (NPR)

joke from This Is Spinal Tap (1984) about "The Originals" (YouTube upload)

Man who punched Marques Gaines before he was struck, killed by cab, released from prison (ABC7 Chicago)

Endangered Koala Found Mauled To Death By Predator At LA Zoo (CBS Los Angeles)

Some Good Mountain Lion News: P-22 is Healthy (NBC Southern California)

The Reddit Reckoning: One year after turning up false clues in the Boston-bombing manhunt, the site's users have done some soul-searching. (Slate)

ISP: We're 'one tip away' from solving Delphi murders (RTV6 Indianapolis)

tweet by @PostCultRev: "We need to stop giving serial killers cool names like 'The Night Stalker' or 'The Green River Killer.' We should remove the mystique, make it sound less appealing. 'The Micropenis Maniac.' 'Bobby Dipshit, the Stupid Murderer.'"

How a Tiny Website Became the Police's Go-To Genealogy Database (The Atlantic)

'The Floppy Did Me In': The story of how police used a floppy disk to catch the BTK killer. (The Atlantic)

website for The Murder Accountability Project

Exciting Tour News!

See our first-ever Cracked Podcast in LONDON at The London Podcast Festival! The show is one night only, and that night is Sunday 8th September at Kings Place. Get your ticket right here!