The Weekly Drop: New True Crime Shows & Documentaries April 13-19, 2026
- The Emerald Sleuth
- Apr 12
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 19
Welcome back, couch detectives.
April isn’t letting up, and neither is this week’s true crime slate. The Weekly Drop is your guide to every new true crime show and documentary airing April 13-19, 2026. Ongoing series, one-offs, and everything in between. Investigation Discovery and Hulu are both adding new releases to the docket this week, and those are in the listings below.
If the Drop has been in your feed long enough to feel like a habit, Buy the Sleuth a Coffee. Let’s get into what’s on the schedule this week.
Note: Schedules shift and networks update listings without warning. If something has changed or something slipped past the radar, drop it in the comments so it can be added to the record.
Monday
April 13th, 2026
Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction S16E36 (“Shattered Lies”) airs Monday at 9 p.m. ET on TV One. Episodes are also available to stream on Philo.
Fatal Attraction continues its long-running focus on real-life crimes driven by obsessive relationships, jealousy, infidelity, and possessiveness. Each standalone episode follows investigators as they piece together evidence and uncover hidden dynamics in victims’ personal lives, examining how relationships rooted in control or fixation escalate into violence. Season sixteen features cases involving affairs, custody disputes, and power imbalances, highlighting how emotional intensity can turn deadly.
Fatal Attraction: I’d Kill to Be You
Fatal Attraction: I’d Kill to Be You S1E12 ("A Mogul's Murder”) airs Monday at 10 p.m. ET on TV One.
This new entry in the Fatal Attraction franchise shifts the focus to cases driven by jealousy, envy, and obsession with another person’s life. Through dramatized reenactments, expert commentary, and real-life interviews, the series examines how admiration can harden into resentment, leading individuals to target someone’s identity, relationships, or perceived happiness. Episodes explore how fixation and social comparison escalate into criminal behavior, with cases involving betrayal, identity theft, and violence.
People Magazine Investigates
People Magazine Investigates S9E12 (“Where is Judith”) airs Monday at 8 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery, streams later on Max.
People Magazine Investigates returns for its ninth season, continuing its focus on headline-making crimes from across the United States. Drawing on reporting from PEOPLE’s true crime team, the series revisits both recent cases and long-running cold cases, examining how investigations unfolded and how lives were permanently altered. The new season explores high-profile murders and complex cases involving hidden relationships, long-buried evidence, and unexpected developments.
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event (Part 1: Episodes 1-2)
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event episodes 1 & 2 air Monday 9–11:00 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery. Episodes are also available to stream on Max.
Serving as a lead-in to the next season of Hollywood Demons, this two-night special shifts focus from celebrity headlines to the systems operating behind them. Part 1 examines the rise of late 1990s and early 2000s boy bands through firsthand accounts from artists and industry insiders.
The episodes center on allegations of systemic exploitation, financial manipulation, and psychological strain, documenting how young performers were shaped, controlled, and commercialized within a high-pressure industry. Early testimony outlines the power imbalance between artists and those managing their careers, setting the stage for a deeper look at the structure behind the fame.
Trailer can be viewed in the April Surveillance Report.
Tuesday
April 14th, 2026
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event (Part 2: Episodes 3–4)
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event episodes 3 & 4 air Tuesday at 9–11:00 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery. Episodes are also available to stream on Max.
Night 2 expands on the accounts introduced in the premiere, continuing the examination of the systems that defined the boy band era and their long-term consequences. Additional interviews explore ongoing allegations of financial control, exploitation, and the lasting impact these conditions had on performers once their careers slowed or ended.
Framed within the broader lens of Hollywood Demons, the conclusion of the event connects personal experiences to larger industry patterns, documenting how these structures influenced both the success and aftermath faced by those involved.
Trailer can be viewed in the April Surveillance Report.
SKYKING: Panic in the Sky
SKYKING: Panic in the Sky premieres Tuesday on Hulu, with streaming availability on Disney+.
This feature-length documentary examines the 2018 incident involving Richard Russell, a ground service agent who stole a commercial aircraft and carried out a 70-minute unauthorized flight over the Pacific Northwest. The film reconstructs the timeline using air traffic control recordings, flight data, and firsthand accounts from those directly involved.
Through interviews with family members, coworkers, and aviation personnel, the documentary explores the circumstances surrounding Russell’s actions and the response that followed. It also places the incident within a broader discussion of mental health, using newly released audio and participant testimony to present multiple perspectives on the case.
Watch the trailer in the April Surveillance Report.
Wednesday
April 15th, 2026
Homicide Hunter: American Detective
Edited: 4-16-26
Homicide Hunter: American Detective S6E1 (“Man’s Best Friend”) airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery. Episodes are also available to stream on Max.
Hosted by Joe Kenda, the series examines homicide investigations from across the United States, shifting the focus away from Kenda’s own cases to those handled by other law enforcement agencies. Each episode breaks down how investigators approached complex cases, highlighting the decisions and strategies that led to arrests. Season six continues to combine dramatized reenactments with interviews and case evidence, emphasizing the reasoning process behind solving violent crimes while documenting the impact on victims and their families.
On the Case with Paula Zahn
Edited: 4-16-26
On the Case with Paula Zahn S29E1 (“Edge of the Abyss”) airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery. Episodes are also available to stream on Max.
This long-running series continues its narrative-driven approach to homicide cases, centering on firsthand accounts from victims’ families, investigators, and legal professionals. Each episode reconstructs the events surrounding a case while tracing the path to resolution through interviews and supporting evidence. Season twenty-nine highlights cases that required sustained investigative effort, including delayed breakthroughs and critical pieces of evidence that ultimately shifted the direction of the investigation.
Thursday
April 16th, 2026
The First 48
The First 48 S29E16 (“Drive Into Darkness”) will air Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on A&E with next day streaming on the A&E app.
The First 48 is a long-running documentary series that follows homicide detectives during the critical first two days after a murder, when time-sensitive evidence, witness cooperation, and investigative momentum matter most. Through real-time casework, forensic analysis, and interrogations, the series documents how quickly leads can emerge or disappear as investigators work to prevent cases from going cold.
Predator Hunters
Edited: 4-16-26
Predator Hunters S1E7 ("Partial Truths, Partial Lies") airs Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability on the A&E app and website.
This investigative series follows Detective Tony Godwin and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force as they pursue online child exploitation cases. The season documents real operations from the review of digital evidence through undercover exchanges and coordinated arrests, incorporating access to case files, body camera footage, and police interviews as investigators work to identify and apprehend individuals accused of targeting minors online.
Original Gangsters with Sean Bean
Original Gangsters with Sean Bean S1E2 (“Al Capone”) begins streaming Thursday on Sundance Now, with episodes also available to stream on AMC+. New episodes will release weekly.
This four episode documentary series examines notorious criminal figures through a combination of dramatized reenactments, expert commentary, and archival material. Across the season, the series explores the rise and decline of figures including Al Capone and the Kray twins, outlining how power, reputation, and internal conflict shaped these criminal networks and contributed to their eventual downfall.
View the trailer in the April Surveillance Report.
IMPACT x Nightline
Edited:4-19-26
IMPACT x Nightline S4E26 ("The Monster at the Beach") begins streaming Thursday on Disney+ and Hulu.
This episode examines the decades-long mystery surrounding the discovery of bodies along Long Island's coastline, tracing the investigation that ultimately led to the arrest and guilty plea of Rex Heuermann, an architect who pleaded guilty to the murders of eight women. Through interviews with investigators and insiders, the episode documents the overlooked clues, technological advances, and relentless police work that finally broke the case, while those closest to the investigation reflect on the victims, the turning points, and whether the full story of the Gilgo Beach killings has yet to be told.
IMPACT x Nightline is ABC News Studios' award-winning streaming newsmagazine, now in its fourth season, investigating stories dominating American culture and conversations.
Friday
April 17th, 2026
ABC 20/20
Edited: 4-16-26
20/20 S49E24 ("Death of a Showgirl") airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, with streaming availability on Hulu following its broadcast.
20/20 is ABC’s long-running investigative newsmagazine series, known for its in-depth reporting on high-profile crimes, criminal investigations, and complex legal cases. Through interviews, courtroom records, and investigative journalism, the program provides detailed examinations of how crimes unfold and how the justice system responds.
Dateline NBC
Edited: 4-16-26
A new episode of Dateline NBC S34E21 ("Deadly Swagger"), airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.
Dateline NBC is a long-running newsmagazine that investigates crime, mystery, and other real-life stories through in-depth reporting and interviews. The series examines a single case or topic each episode, using detailed storytelling and investigative journalism to provide full context behind the events.
Saturday
April 18th, 2026
48 Hours
Edited: 4-16-26
48 Hours S38E25 ("Jade Colvin Is Missing") airs Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
48 Hours is a long-running CBS true crime series that investigates murder cases, cold cases, and potential wrongful convictions through in-depth reporting and interviews with key figures. Each episode focuses on a single case, combining firsthand accounts, forensic analysis, and legal insight to examine how crimes unfold and how investigations develop. Known for its detailed storytelling, the series explores the people, evidence, and decisions that shape real-life criminal cases.
Philly Homicide
Edited: 4-16-26
Philly Homicide S2E2 (“Murder at the Shore”) will air Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with episodes releasing weekly.
This documentary series follows Chris McMullin as he guides viewers through homicide investigations connected to the Philadelphia region, drawing on his background in local law enforcement to provide context and analysis for each case while focusing on the investigative process and the individuals involved.
Through archival footage, dramatized recreations, and interviews with current and former detectives, the series documents how cases were handled and ultimately resolved, offering insight into the challenges faced by investigators working within a region shaped by a dense history and complex urban landscape.
Sunday
April 19th, 2026
Snapped
Snapped S36E12 (“Jennifer Sweeny”) airs Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming available on the Oxygen App.
Snapped is a long-running true crime series that examines cases involving women accused of murder, focusing on personal histories, relationships, and the circumstances that led to the crime. Through interviews, recreations, and firsthand accounts, the series traces how investigations unfolded and how motives emerged as each case came to light.
No trailer available at this time.
A Plan to Kill
Edited: 4-16-26
A Plan to Kill S2E7 ("Digital Justice") airs Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming availability on Peacock.
Season 2 returns with new episodes examining premeditated murder cases in which perpetrators carefully planned their crimes over extended periods. The series focuses on investigations involving staged home invasions, calculated revenge plots, and other deliberate schemes designed to mislead authorities, tracing how investigators uncovered inconsistencies, exposed deception, and reconstructed the planning behind the crimes.
Betrayal: Secrets & Lies
Betrayal: Secrets & Lies S1E4 ("The New Year Intruder") premieres Sunday at 10:02 p.m. ET on ABC, with new episodes streaming next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Based on the true crime podcast of the same name, the series features a new story each week centered on lives upended by betrayal. Season 1 examines cases involving scandalous confessions, secret lives, acts of violence, financial ruin, and more, tracing what happens when the people closest to you become the greatest threat.
A trailer for the series can be found in the March Surveillance Report.
Court TV This Week
Murder of Athena Strand
TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner
Court TV is scheduled to continue coverage of the TX v. Tanner Lynn Horner (“Murder of Athena Strand”) trial this week, entering the penalty phase following a guilty plea.
Tanner Lynn Horner, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and capital murder in the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand, who disappeared from her home on November 30, 2022. Investigators determined that Horner, a delivery driver working through a FedEx contractor, was at the home during the time of her disappearance, and vehicle footage later showed a young girl entering his van. According to an arrest affidavit, Horner told police he struck Athena with the vehicle and, fearing she would report him, killed her by strangulation. He then led authorities to her body, which was found about 15 miles away. With the guilty plea entered, the jury will now decide whether Horner will receive the death penalty.
For a day-by-day breakdown of the trial, Court TV provides a running coverage guide here.
Tiger Bay Teenager Murder Trial
FL v. Ke’mani Narda Lee Hill
Court TV is scheduled to begin coverage of the FL v. Ke’mani Narda Lee Hill (“Tiger Bay Teenager Murder”) trial this week, with jury selection starting Monday.
Ke’mani Narda Lee Hill, now 15, faces charges including first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm in the April 19, 2024 death of 24-year-old Wilber Alberto Perez at a Gainesville apartment complex. Prosecutors allege Hill and co-defendant Zion James, who was 14 at the time, arranged a marijuana purchase before James grabbed the drugs and fled, at which point Hill allegedly shot and killed Perez. James has since pleaded no contest to multiple charges and is expected to testify against Hill. Investigators also cite messages Hill allegedly sent shortly after the shooting, along with prior convictions from 2023 and 2024, as part of the case.
Written court updates, if provided by Court TV, will be posted here.
Serial Killer Cold Case
FL v. Demorris Hunter
Court TV is scheduled to continue coverage of the FL v. Demorris Hunter (“Serial Killer Cold Case”) trial this week, entering the penalty phase following a guilty verdict.
Demorris Hunter, 59, was convicted of first-degree murder and theft in the 2002 death of 38-year-old Theresa Ann Green, who was found strangled and left in the trunk of her car. Prosecutors allege Hunter and Green were last seen together leaving a party before entering her apartment, and hours later, Hunter allegedly asked a neighbor to follow him as he drove the victim’s vehicle to a Walgreens, where her body was later discovered. Witnesses reported that Hunter made incriminating statements after the incident, and additional testimony indicated he had previously confessed to a separate killing in California, where he was later convicted. With the jury now set to deliberate on sentencing, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Court TV daily trial highlights can be found here.
New True Crime April 2026: Closing Notes
That closes the file on new true crime for April 13-19. Networks update without warning, so if a listing looks wrong or something slipped through, leave it in the comments or send it over and it'll get corrected.
The bigger picture lives in the Surveillance Reports. The March Surveillance Report is there if you need to look back. The April Surveillance Report is open and actively tracking everything still to come.
The case doesn't close between drops. Find TCSS on social media, links below.
Until next week, Society.
