New True Crime Documentaries to Watch – June 2025 Edition
- The Emerald Sleuth
- May 29
- 9 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
June’s true crime lineup doesn’t just turn over new stones—it digs up entire graveyards. From high-rise horrors to high-altitude smuggling, this month’s documentaries and docuseries expose the wreckage left behind by power, greed, and delusion. Whether it’s a brothel’s glossy veneer peeled back to reveal rot, or an internet joke that spiraled into federal warnings, every story on this docket reminds us how quickly spectacle can curdle into tragedy.
These aren't just crimes—they're systems failing in real time. So pour your tea, pull the blinds, and crack open the files: here's what to watch when you're in the mood for truth with bite.
The Mortician
Release Date: June 1, 2025
No of Episodes: 3
Platform: HBO
The Mortician is a three-part documentary series that exhumes the story of Los Angeles’ most notorious family-run mortuary — and the man who turned it into a horror show for profit. In the 1980s, David Sconce took control of the Lamb Funeral Home and quickly spiraled into a web of grotesque, profit-driven crimes: mutilating corpses, orchestrating mass cremations, and even hiring hitmen to intimidate rival morticians.
Now, newly released from prison, Sconce breaks his silence in an exclusive interview that anchors this dark tale. Through testimonies from investigative journalists Ashley Dunn and David Geary, as well as surviving victims, the series pulls back the velvet curtain on the multibillion-dollar funeral industry — exposing how easily reverence for the dead can be replaced by ruthless greed.
Click here for trailer.
Relative Secrets with Jane Seymour
Release Date: June 2, 2025
No of Episodes: Unknown
Platform: Acorn TV
Relative Secrets is where true crime meets ancestral intrigue. Hosted by Jane Seymour and archaeologist Natasha Billson, this unscripted series uncovers the shadowy legacies lurking in family trees. From serial killer parents to long-lost relatives who faked their deaths, each episode dives headfirst into the darkest mysteries hiding behind ordinary surnames.
Premiering as Acorn TV’s first-ever unscripted original, Relative Secrets blends real-life investigation with emotional genealogy, peeling back generations of buried truth. With contributions from the team behind Fear Thy Neighbor and BTK: A Killer Among Us, and guided by Seymour’s poised narration and Billson’s investigative expertise, the series explores how shocking family secrets echo across time — and what happens when the past finally catches up.
Click here for trailer.
Fatal Destination
Release Date: June 3, 2025
No of Episodes: 6
Platform: Investigation Discovery
Fatal Destination is an upcoming true-crime series on Investigation Discovery that examines real cases where vacations turned into tragedies.
Narrated and executive produced by Jessica Biel, the show explores incidents in which travelers experienced violence, deception, or disappearance while visiting seemingly idyllic locations. Each episode includes first-person accounts from friends, family, law enforcement, and others connected to the case.
The series focuses on themes such as the hidden dangers of travel, the impact of volatile relationships, and how paradise can quickly turn perilous. Cases featured include a couple’s vanished charter boat in the Bahamas, an anniversary trip in Vermont that ends in a crime scene, a missing teen in Myrtle Beach, and a fatal betrayal during a getaway in Mexico.
To view the trailer, click here.
The Trainwreck Anthology
Release Date: June 3, 2025
No of Episodes: 8
Platform: Netflix
Trainwreck is a Netflix anthology documentary series that dissects some of the most infamous public disasters of the modern era—where spectacle, scandal, and failure collided in plain sight. Through firsthand accounts and archival footage, the series explores the chaos behind cultural flashpoints—revealing not only what happened, but how media, institutions, and individuals failed to stop the inevitable crash.
Episode Summary:
Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Summary: Explores the 2021 Astroworld Festival in Houston, where a crowd surge during Travis Scott's performance led to 10 deaths and numerous injuries. The episode examines the event's failures through accounts from survivors, families, and emergency personnel.
Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Summary: Chronicles the rise and fall of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, whose tenure was marred by scandals, including a video of him smoking crack cocaine, leading to international media attention.
Trainwreck: Poop Cruise
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Summary: Details the 2013 Carnival cruise disaster where an engine fire left over 4,000 passengers stranded at sea without power or functioning toilets, resulting in unsanitary conditions and widespread media coverage.
Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Summary: Investigates the rise and fall of American Apparel, focusing on CEO Dov Charney's controversial leadership, allegations of sexual harassment, and the company's eventual decline.
Trainwreck: The Real Project X
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Summary: Recounts the 2012 Haren riot in the Netherlands, sparked by a teenager's public Facebook invitation that went viral, leading to thousands of attendees and resulting in widespread chaos and property damage.
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Summary: Covers the 2009 incident where a Colorado family falsely claimed their son was trapped in a runaway balloon, leading to a media frenzy before it was revealed as a hoax aimed at securing a reality TV deal.
Trainwreck: P.I. Moms
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Summary: Examines a 2010 reality TV series about suburban moms working as private investigators, which unraveled amid allegations of incompetence and criminal activity within the agency.
Trainwreck: Storm Area 51
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Summary: Explores the 2019 viral Facebook event "Storm Area 51," which began as a joke but led to real-world gatherings near the secretive military base, prompting responses from the U.S. Air Force and other agencies.
Each episode of Trainwreck is released weekly on Netflix, starting June 10, 2025, and concluding on July 29, 2025.
Trailer for Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy here.
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered (Season 15)
Release Date: June 4, 2025
No of Episodes: Unknown
Platform: Oxygen
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered – Season 15 premieres Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen. This long-running series revisits some of the most perplexing and emotionally charged true crime cases in recent U.S. history. Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Craig Melvin, the show features in-depth reporting and firsthand accounts from investigators, family members, and others directly impacted by the crimes. Season 15 will continue airing new episodes through the end of August.
Check your local listings for upcoming cases — no trailer is currently available.
Dateline: Unforgettable (Season 6)
Release Date: June 5, 2025
No of Episodes: Unknown
Platform: Oxygen
Dateline: Unforgettable airs Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Oxygen.
Each story includes added commentary and behind-the-scenes insight, offering a look into what made these investigations stand out and what it took to bring them to air. The format allows reporters to reflect on the emotional, investigative, and editorial challenges behind some of the franchise’s most unforgettable moments.
No trailer currently available.
The Killer Clown: Murder on the Doorstep
Release Date: June 5, 2025
No of Episodes: 3
Platform: Sundance TV/AMC+
This limited docuseries revisits the 1990 murder of Marlene Warren, a Florida mother who was shot and killed at her front door by someone dressed as a clown.
The investigation initially focused on her husband, Michael Warren, amid reports of infidelity and marital issues. Despite suspicions, the case stalled for decades. Then, nearly 30 years later, Michael’s former mistress Sheila Keen was arrested and accused of wearing the clown disguise. In 2023, she entered a guilty plea shortly before trial. The plea brought the case to a legal conclusion — but not without lingering questions.
Through interviews with law enforcement, attorneys, Marlene’s son Joe, and others connected to the case, the three-part series explores the long path to justice and the unresolved doubts that still surround the crime.
Watch the trailer here.
Killer Cases (Season 7)
Release Date: June 5, 2025
No of Episodes: Unknown
Platform: A&E
Killer Cases is a true-crime documentary series on A&E that follows real murder investigations from the crime scene to the courtroom. Each episode explores a different case, tracing the path from discovery and forensic analysis through the trial and ultimate verdict. With a focus on the emotional, legal, and investigative elements involved, the series highlights how cases unfold in real time — often involving themes of betrayal, greed, and personal tragedy.
The new season begins Wednesday, June 5, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET with an episode titled The Boy in the Woods, a decades-old cold case reopened after an age progression image sparks renewed attention.
No trailer available.
City Confidential (Season 14)
Release Date: June 6, 2025
No of Episodes: Unknown
Platform: A&E
City Confidential season 14 returns with new episodes exploring how singular crimes have left lasting marks on cities and towns across the United States.
Known for its signature noir-style narration, the series examines not just the cases themselves but the communities forever changed by them. Each episode looks beyond the headlines to reveal how one act of violence can echo through neighborhoods, reshape public perception, and expose deeper tensions within the places people call home.
No trailer is currently available.
The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets
Release Date: June 10, 2025
No of Episodes: 3
Platform: Peacock
Gilgo Beach Killer: The House of Secrets is a three-part docuseries examining the aftermath of the arrest of the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer. The series offers an inside look at the suspect’s home and features previously unheard testimony from family members, revealing personal accounts of the double life he is accused of leading.
Each one-hour episode explores how those closest to the suspect perceived him, shedding light on the disconnect between his public persona and the violent crimes he's charged with. The series is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson/G-Unit Film and Television.
No trailer available.
Cocaine Air: Smugglers at 30,000 Ft. (French)
Release Date: June 11, 2025
No of Episodes: TBA
Platform: Netflix
On March 20, 2013, four French nationals—including two former air force pilots—were arrested at the Punta Cana airport in the Dominican Republic while preparing to depart for Saint-Tropez on a private jet.
Authorities discovered 700 kilograms of cocaine packed into 26 suitcases. The documentary investigates the case, raising questions about who was truly responsible, what the passengers and crew knew, and how such a large quantity of drugs ended up onboard a high-profile flight.
Trailer unavailable.
Secrets of the Bunny Ranch
Release Date: June 12, 2025
No of Episodes: 6
Platform: A&E
This documentary series examines the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, a legal brothel in Nevada made famous by the HBO series Cathouse.
Through interviews with former workers—many speaking publicly for the first time—the series investigates claims of mistreatment, abuse, and exploitation behind the establishment’s glossy, televised image. The documentary also covers Dennis Hof’s rise as a media personality and political figure, including his run for state assembly and high-profile relationships. Additional episodes include firsthand accounts of Lamar Odom’s overdose at the Ranch and previously unreleased behind-the-scenes material from the Cathouse era.
Episode Guide:
S1 E1 · Smoke & Mirrors – Premieres June 12, 2025 Introduces Dennis Hof and the Bunny Ranch’s rise to fame through HBO’s Cathouse, while former workers describe a hidden world of control and exploitation behind the scenes.
S1 E2 · Here, Pretty Kitty – Premieres June 12, 2025 Examines the impact of Cathouse on young viewers and new recruits drawn to the brothel lifestyle—only to face manipulation, debt bondage, and psychological abuse.
S1 E3 · The Predator – Premieres June 19, 2025 A woman fleeing domestic violence arrives at the Ranch expecting safety, only to experience further trauma. Her story reveals deeper systemic issues within the brothel's operations.
S1 E4 · The Cathouse Murders – Premieres June 19, 2025 Follows the murder investigation of a Bunny Ranch worker killed in Oklahoma City, and how Dennis Hof handled the tragedy amid a media frenzy.
S1 E5 · The Lamar Odom Party – Premieres June 26, 2025 Revisits the infamous overdose incident involving former NBA star Lamar Odom during his visit to the Bunny Ranch, offering insight from those who were there.
S1 E6 · Too Close to the Sun – Premieres June 26, 2025 Focuses on Dennis Hof’s run for public office, the scandals that followed, and the collapse of the carefully crafted image he had spent years cultivating.
View the trailer here.
The First 48 (Season 28)
Release Date: June 12, 2025
No of Episodes: TBA
Platform: A&E
Now in its 28th season, The First 48 continues to follow homicide detectives across major U.S. cities as they work to solve murders within the critical first 48 hours after a crime is committed.
The series documents real-time investigations, showing how detectives rely on witness interviews, surveillance footage, forensic science, and gut instinct to identify suspects. With the clock ticking and no room for error, each episode offers a look at the high-pressure environment of solving violent crimes when every second counts.
Trailer unavailable.
Grenfell Uncovered
Release Date: June 23, 2025
No of Episodes: Single feature-length documentary Platform: Netflix
This documentary investigates the tragic 2017 fire at London’s Grenfell Tower, which claimed 72 lives.
Drawing from the official public inquiry, investigative reporting, and testimonies from survivors and bereaved families, the film outlines a series of regulatory failures, policy decisions, and corporate actions that contributed to the disaster. It reconstructs the timeline leading up to the fire and examines how warnings were missed or ignored. Grenfell: Uncovered seeks to expose systemic negligence and amplify the ongoing demands for accountability and justice from those affected.
Watch the trailer here.
Butchers of L.A.
Release Date: June 26, 2025
No of Episodes: 3
Platform: Sundance Now
Butchers of L.A. is a three-part docuseries examining the chilling cases of three serial killers—Patrick Kearney, William Bonin, and Randy Kraft—who operated independently in Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s.
Collectively responsible for over 50 murders, their overlapping victim profiles and methods confounded law enforcement, leading to years of uncertainty and fear. Through in-depth interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis, the series delves into the investigations that eventually brought these killers to justice, shedding light on a dark chapter in Southern California's history.
No trailer available.
Infiltrada en el Bunker (Spanish)
Release Date: June 27, 2025
No of Episodes: 1
Platform: Prime
Infiltrada en el Bunker (Infiltrated in the Bunker) follows an undercover investigator who gave up everything — safety, identity, peace of mind — to reveal what really goes on behind the locked doors of an animal testing lab. Over the course of two harrowing years, she documented hundreds of hours of hidden camera footage inside what she dubbed The Bunker, exposing repeated and disturbing cases of animal abuse. This gripping investigative thriller captures the longest infiltration of a pharmaceutical laboratory ever recorded and forces viewers to confront an urgent ethical question: What is the real cost of scientific progress when it’s paid in blood, fear, and silence? Documentary is in Spanish.
Trailer unavailable at the time of this writing.
Case closed.🔍 Verdict delivered. ⚖️
Stay hydrated.💧 Don’t judge a doc by its teaser.📺📉
🕵️♀️The Emerald Sleuth, calling it a night. 💚
Which Documentary are you most looking forward to?
The Mortician
Relative Secrets
Fatal Destination
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered