The Weekly Drop: New True Crime Shows & Documentaries April 27- May 3, 2026
- The Emerald Sleuth
- Apr 26
- 10 min read
Updated: May 4
Welcome back, couch detectives.
The calendar turns this week, April filing itself away and May opening for business with a fresh stack of cases. The Weekly Drop is your guide to every new true crime show and documentary airing April 27 through May 3, 2026. Ongoing series, one-offs, and everything in between are all accounted for. TV One, Hulu, Netflix, Lifetime, and Oxygen are each bringing something new to the lineup, and the full breakdown is waiting below.
Before the new week takes over entirely, the latest Case Notes looks back at Girl on the Run, Murder in Glitterball City, and Friends Like These. If you've watched any of them, weigh in on the poll and see if we land in the same place.
The Drop is free. The overhead, regrettably, is not. Buy the Sleuth a Coffee if The Drop is worth it.
Here's what's on your screen this week:
Monday
April 27th, 2026
Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction S16E38 (“Callous Collusion”) 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.
For My Man
For My Man kicks off its tenth season with S10E1 ("Deadly Devotion"), premiering Monday at 10 p.m. ET on TV One.
For My Man continues exploring cases in which women became entangled in criminal activity through their romantic partners. Each episode examines individual cases where loyalty, manipulation, and personal relationships intersected with crimes including robbery, kidnapping, and homicide. Using interviews, reenactments, and expert commentary, the series documents how those relationships shaped the decisions that led to arrests and prison sentences.
Hollywood Demons
Hollywood Demons S2E2 ("Child Stars Gone Wild") airs Monday at 9:00 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery, also streaming on Max.
Hollywood Demons returns for a second season, continuing its investigation into crime, misconduct, and systemic failures inside the entertainment industry. Season 2 examines allegations of abuse, exploitation, and institutional neglect tied to child performers, celebrity-associated scandals, and high-profile tragedies, including cases connected to Matthew Perry and Prince. Each episode builds a case-focused narrative through interviews, archival material, and investigative framing, documenting where fame and industry pressure created the conditions for harm.
Tuesday
April 28th, 2026
The Cult of NatureBoy
The Cult of NatureBoy is a four-part docuseries premiering April 28 on Hulu and Disney+, examining the rise and unraveling of Carbon Nation, a social media-built movement led by Eligio Bishop, known online as "NatureBoy." The series draws on firsthand testimony from former members and victims, commentary from online investigators who tracked the group in real time, and video documentation recorded by Carbon Nation's own members.
Beginning in 2016, Bishop used his platforms to recruit followers into a community he framed as a Black utopia requiring members to leave their families behind. What existed inside bore little resemblance to that promise. His authority over the group grew increasingly absolute, the environment defined by coercion, manipulation, and escalating violence. When former members came forward with allegations of abuse, Bishop found himself at the center of one of the more complex cult cases in recent American history, one that had unfolded not in secrecy but in plain sight.
A trailer is available in the April Surveillance Report.
Evil Lives Here: My Child the Killer
Evil Lives Here: My Child the Killer episode S1E4 (“The Sins of Our Son”) airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery, with streaming availability on Max.
This spinoff of Evil Lives Here centers on parents confronting the reality that their child committed violent crimes. Through first-person interviews, the series focuses on the emotional aftermath, including shock, guilt, and grief, as families process how their understanding of their child changed. Each episode presents a parent’s account, examining the personal and lasting impact of these crimes on both families and their communities.
My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders
Added 4-30-26 (Thanks, Kainie)
My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders is a three-part documentary series premiering April 28 on Paramount+, built around allegations brought forward by Lucy Studey against her late father, Donald Dean Studey, whom she claims was responsible for multiple killings spanning several decades in rural Iowa. The series examines those accusations alongside the investigative effort to determine whether they can be substantiated.
The documentary captures the fracture lines within the Studey family, presenting conflicting accounts from relatives alongside case-focused reporting and interviews, leaving the central question of credibility open for the viewer to weigh.
A trailer is available in the April Surveillance Report.
Wednesday
April 29th, 2026
Homicide Hunter: American Detective
Homicide Hunter: American Detective S6E3 (“To Kidnap a Prince”) 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
On the Case with Paula Zahn S29E3 (“Caught in a Trap”) 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.
Should I Marry a Murderer?
Should I Marry a Murderer? is a three-part documentary series premiering on Netflix, examining the case of Dr. Caroline Muirhead and her then boyfriend, Alexander McKellar, who confessed to his involvement in the 2017 killing of cyclist Tony Parsons in Scotland. The series reconstructs the hit-and-run and subsequent concealment of Parsons' body, drawing on interviews and case details to document both the criminal proceedings and the personal toll of discovering a partner's involvement in a violent crime.
Following McKellar's confession, Muirhead worked with authorities and became a key witness in the investigation. The series traces her role throughout that process, examining how the case unfolded and what it meant for those connected to it.
A trailer is available in the April Surveillance Report.
Thursday
April 30th, 2026
The First 48
The First 48 S29E18 (“Fatally Misinformed”) 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
Predator Hunters S1E9 ("Huge Red Flag") 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
The last episode of the season for Original Gangsters with Sean Bean S1E4 (“Billy Hill and the Krays”) streams Thursday on Sundance Now, with episodes also available to stream on AMC+.
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
IMPACT x Nightline is scheduled to stream Thursday on Hulu and Disney+.
Edited: 5-1-26 Note- This week's episode has been confirmed as non-true crime content.
Friday
May 1st, 2026
ABC 20/20
20/20 S49E25 (title/topic TBA) 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
A new episode of Dateline NBC S34E23 (title/topic TBA), 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.
Meet, Marry, Murder (UK)
Meet, Marry, Murder (UK) S5E1 (“Entzel”) airs Friday at 8 a.m. ET on Lifetime, followed by S5E2 (“Renick”) at 9 a.m. ET, S5E3 (“Brophy”) at 10 a.m. ET, and S5E4 (“Jensen”) at 11 a.m. ET. 4 additional episodes are scheduled to air the following Friday beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Lifetime.
This true-crime documentary series examines cases in which individuals are killed by their spouses or partners, focusing on how relationships marked by control, financial motives, infidelity, or escalating conflict turn deadly. Each episode follows investigators as they reconstruct the timeline of events, incorporating interviews, case details, and analysis to explore the breakdown of the relationship and the factors that led to the crime.
Season 5 has eight confirmed episodes on Lifetime. International listings show 12 episodes for season 5, but it is unclear at this time if Lifetime will continue to air the entire season in weekly four-episode blocks.
Saturday
May 2nd, 2026
48 Hours
48 Hours S39E27 (title/topic TBA) 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
Philly Homicide S2E4 (“Metal and Mayhem”) 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.
Kidnapped in Her Own Home: The Martha Carelli Story
Kidnapped in Her Own Home: The Martha Carelli Story is a feature-length true crime movie dramatization premiering at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.
When Michael Anderson, an escaped Franklin County Jail inmate, conceals himself inside Martha Carelli's home, what begins as a break-in becomes something far more dangerous. Anderson takes Martha hostage and forces her behind the wheel of his getaway vehicle, setting off a psychological confrontation in which her only tools are her composure and her instincts. The film follows Martha's fight to survive a situation she had no part in creating and no obvious way out of.
A trailer is available in the May Surveillance Report.
Sunday
May 3rd, 2026
Snapped: Killer Couples
Snapped: Killer Couples S19E1 ("Amanda Lothery And Rajhi 'T.C.' Render") airs Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on Oxygen.
Snapped: Killer Couples examines what happens when a relationship becomes a crime in progress. Each episode centers on a pair, whether spouses, lovers, or accomplices, whose bond became the engine behind a killing, tracing the psychology of the partnership alongside the details of the case through reenactments, archival footage, and interviews with those closest to the investigation.
No trailer available at this time.
A Plan to Kill
A Plan to Kill S2E9 ("Pizza Bomber") 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.
Interview with a Killer
Added:5-4-26
Interview with a Killer S4E1 ("Devil Next Door/Maggie Ybarra") airs Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on Court TV.
Interview with a Killer places investigative journalist David Scott inside high-security prisons for face-to-face conversations with convicted murderers. Scott arrives at each encounter prepared, armed with trial transcripts, autopsy reports, and crime scene documentation, and uses that material to challenge the narratives killers have had years to refine. Season 4 brings five new subjects to the table, probing the psychology beneath each crime and examining what accumulates between a murder and its aftermath: the denial, the deflection, and the carefully constructed version of events. The victims remain central throughout.
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.
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.
Cop Murder-for-Hire Trial
Court TV is currently listing an upcoming live trial under the working label “Cop Murder-for-Hire Trial,” with coverage set to begin Tuesday. As of now, an official case caption (State v. Defendant) has not been confirmed in publicly available listings, and no verified defendant name or jurisdiction has been tied to this block.
At this stage, details including the exact case name, location, and parties involved remain unclear. This entry will be updated as soon as the official case caption and confirmed trial information become available.
New True Crime April into May 2026: Closing Notes
That closes the record on April 27 through May 3, 2026. Schedules shift and listings update without notice; if something looks off or got missed, leave it in the comments below or send it over and it will be corrected.
The April Surveillance Report is there if you need to look back. The May Surveillance Report is open and actively tracking what is still to come. Catch TCSS between drops on social media through the links below.
Until next week, Society.
My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders airs on Tuesday 28th of April