The Surveillance Report: New True Crime Shows & Documentaries – February 2026 Edition
- The Emerald Sleuth
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
February settles in after the early-year rush, with a steadier but still active slate of true crime releases. The volume may ease slightly compared to January, but the lineup remains solid, with a mix of new docuseries, returning programs, and feature-length documentaries continuing to roll out across platforms. This list will be updated as additional February releases are announced, so check back throughout the month for the latest additions.
This guide to the new true crime shows & documentaries – February 2026 tracks confirmed premieres, returning series, and limited-event releases across streaming, cable, and broadcast. Scroll on for the full February lineup, and be sure to cast your vote at the bottom of the page for the release you’re most interested in watching.
Disclaimer: I have not viewed any of the documentaries listed in this post. All descriptions and details have been compiled from official press releases, streaming platform announcements, and other publicly available sources. Information is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing.
The Turpins: A New House of Horror – A Diane Sawyer Special Event
Release Date: February 3, 2026
No. of Episodes: 1
Platform: ABC
This one-hour ABC News special revisits the Turpin family case, first brought to public attention in 2018 after 17-year-old Jordan Turpin escaped years of captivity and abuse and called 911, leading to the rescue of her 12 siblings. Diane Sawyer, who previously interviewed two of the Turpin daughters in 2021, returns to the story as three additional siblings speak publicly for the first time.
The special examines their experiences following rescue, focusing on what occurred after several of the siblings entered the foster care system and the failures that followed. For the first time, the program documents allegations of further harm in a foster home where they were meant to be protected, and how some of the siblings were forced to intervene on their own behalf once again.
The special airs Tuesday, February 3, at 10:00 p.m. ET on ABC, with streaming available the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Investigation of Lucy Letby
Release Date: February 4, 2026
No. of Episodes: 1
Platform: Netflix
This feature-length documentary examines the case of Lucy Letby, the British neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others while working in a neonatal unit.
The film includes first-time interviews with the British police who investigated the case and features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning. The documentary also incorporates perspectives from legal and medical experts on both sides of the case, alongside an anonymised interview with the mother of one of the victims, who speaks publicly for the first time about her experience and involvement in the trial. Tracing events chronologically from Letby’s arrests through the trial, the film relies exclusively on testimony from individuals directly involved in or affected by the case, presenting a comprehensive account of one of Britain’s most high-profile criminal proceedings.
Buried in the Backyard (S6/Pt 2)
Release Date: February 7, 2026
No. of Episodes: 8
Platform: Oxygen
Season 6, part two of Buried in the Backyard returns with eight new cases examining crimes deliberately hidden in isolated and overlooked locations, from remote fields to swampy terrain. The second half of season six explores investigations involving concealed murders, family secrets, and perpetrators who went to extreme lengths to evade discovery. New episodes include cases tied to a deadly cult, the so-called Santa Claus Bandit, and crimes connected to ritualistic behavior, continuing the series’ focus on how ordinary lives intersect with extraordinary violence. As with previous seasons, the series centers on long-buried evidence, delayed justice, and the psychological factors behind crimes meant to disappear.
New episodes begin airing Saturday, February 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Oxygen, with one-hour episodes releasing weekly.
No trailer for season 6 part 2 available at this time.
The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story
Release Date: February 11, 2026
No. of Episodes: 3-part docuseries
Platform: Hulu and Disney+
This three-part documentary series examines the 2006 murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart, a 16-year-old high school student found stabbed to death in a home outside Pocatello, Idaho.
Initially believed to be the work of an unknown attacker, the investigation retraces Cassie’s final hours and focuses on classmates who were among the last to see her alive. As detectives narrow their scope, the case takes a disturbing turn with the discovery of a buried videotape that reframes the crime and raises questions about motive, influence, and intent. The series explores how elements of horror media intersected with real-world violence, documenting the investigative process that led to the case’s resolution.
The series premieres Wednesday, February 11, 2026, on Hulu and Disney+.
Trailer not available at the time of this writing.
Love, Ted Bundy
Release Date: February 15, 2026
No. of Episodes: 1
Platform: Oxygen
This two-hour Oxygen special centers on Edna Martin, Ted Bundy’s cousin, who maintained a close, sibling-like relationship with him and corresponded with him while he was on death row. For more than five decades, Martin kept their letters private to protect her family. In this documentary, she shares that correspondence publicly for the first time.
The letters, often signed “Love, Ted,” reveal how Bundy presented himself to family members while simultaneously denying responsibility for his crimes. In the correspondence, Bundy disputes his guilt, criticizes the portrayal of him in The Stranger Beside Me, and insists he felt no remorse. The film examines the disconnect between Bundy’s private communications and the reality of his crimes through a familial lens rarely explored.
The special airs Sunday, February 15, at 6:00 p.m. ET on Oxygen.
Wild Boys: Strangers in Town
Release Date: February 18, 2026
No. of Episodes: 2-part docuseries
Platform: Paramount+
This two-part documentary examines the case of brothers Will Green and Tom Green, who appeared in a small town in British Columbia in 2003 claiming they had been raised entirely off the grid in the surrounding wilderness. With no records of schooling, medical care, or official documentation, their story quickly drew attention from local residents, journalists, and authorities.
As a local mother takes the brothers in, the series follows the growing scrutiny around their claims, tracing how belief, doubt, and fascination collide as investigators begin to uncover inconsistencies and raise questions about how far people are willing to go to accept a story they want to believe.
True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here (S3)
Release Date: February 19, 2026
No. of Episodes: 6
Platform: Sundance TV and AMC+
Season three of True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here continues the series’ focus on murder cases and wrongful convictions in small American towns. The six-episode season examines investigations where local bias, limited resources, or institutional failures shaped outcomes, often resulting in miscarriages of justice.
New episodes explore cases in Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Maine, including disputes that escalated to fatal violence, missing persons investigations, and convictions later called into question. Through interviews with victims’ families and community insiders, the season highlights how rural justice systems can struggle under scrutiny and how those failures ripple through entire communities.
New episodes begin airing Thursday, February 19, at 10:00 p.m. ET on Sundance TV, with streaming available via AMC+.
Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman
Release Date: February 19, 2026
No. of Episodes: Docuseries
Platform: Hulu and Disney+
This true-crime docuseries chronicles the escape and manhunt of Sarah Pender, who fled a maximum-security prison after being convicted for the murder of a young couple in Indiana. The series follows U.S. Marshals as they track Pender across state lines while she relies on a network of allies to evade capture. Central to the case is her relationship with a new boyfriend, Tom, who continues to assist her even after discovering her identity while watching America’s Most Wanted. Through law enforcement accounts and investigative detail, the series documents the tactics, risks, and missteps that defined one of the most high-profile fugitive cases of its time.
No trailer currently available.
Murder in Glitterball City
Release Date: February 19, 2026
No. of Episodes: 2-part documentary
Platform: Max
This two-part HBO documentary examines the 2010 murder of Jamie Carroll, a drag performer whose body was discovered inside a plastic storage bin in the basement wine cellar of a Victorian mansion in Louisville, Kentucky.
Based on A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City by David Dominé, the series centers on the volatile relationship between suspects Jeffrey Mundt and Joseph Banis, who accused one another of the crime. Often referred to as the “Pink Triangle Murder,” the case unfolds through shifting accounts, courtroom testimony, and competing narratives, exploring how manipulation, addiction, and secrecy intersected in a tightly knit community.
Part 1 debuts February 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Max, immediately followed by Part 2.
No trailer is available at the time of this writing.
Lost Women of Alaska
Release Date: February 25, 2026
No. of Episodes: 3-part limited series (3 hours total)
Platform: Investigation Discovery; streaming on HBO Max
This three-part installment in the Lost Women franchise examines the murders of Veronica Abouchuk and Kathleen Jo Henry, two Alaska Native women killed in separate incidents in 2018 and 2019. The series traces the investigations that followed, documenting how systemic gaps, geographic isolation, and delayed attention contributed to the cases remaining unresolved for extended periods.
As authorities begin to connect the crimes, the documentary follows the efforts that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of a suspect, while also examining the broader crisis of violence against Indigenous women in Alaska. Produced by October Films and Orit Entertainment, the series situates the case within the larger context of underreported disappearances and murders in remote communities.
The series premieres Wednesday, February 25, airing from 8:00–11:00 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery, with all episodes available to stream on HBO Max.
Court Watch: February 2026
A brief overview of notable criminal cases expected to receive live or ongoing coverage on Court TV this month.
UT v. Kouri Richins
Kouri Richins, 35, is charged with aggravated murder in the March 4, 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, who was found dead in the couple’s Park City bedroom. Prosecutors allege Richins poisoned him with a lethal dose of illicit fentanyl by spiking his cocktail, following an earlier failed attempt two weeks prior in which she allegedly served him a sandwich laced with fentanyl on Valentine’s Day. An autopsy determined Eric Richins died from fentanyl intoxication, with levels approximately five times the lethal dose. Prosecutors have argued financial motive, alleging Richins was facing significant debt and had fraudulently secured a life insurance policy prior to her husband’s death. Richins has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody after bail was denied.
NM v. Isaac Apodaca
Isaac Apodaca, 27, is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the October 29, 2022 killing of Grace Jennings in Santa Fe. Prosecutors allege Apodaca coerced his girlfriend, Kiara McCulley, to fatally stab Jennings with a three-foot metal sword inside a detached garage at McCulley’s mother’s home, where the couple lived. According to court filings, investigators uncovered text messages in which Apodaca encouraged the killing and acknowledged his intent. Apodaca recently rejected a plea deal during a court hearing, prompting the judge to void the agreement. The case has seen multiple delays, including changes in defense counsel and forensic backlogs, and Apodaca remains in custody awaiting trial. Proceedings are expected to draw Court TV coverage as the case moves forward.
NJ v. Paul Caneiro: The Mansion Murders Trial
Paul Caneiro is on trial in Monmouth County, New Jersey, facing four counts of first-degree murder in the November 20, 2018 deaths of his brother Keith Caneiro, sister-in-law Jennifer Caneiro, and their two children, Sophia Caneiro and Jesse Caneiro. Prosecutors allege Caneiro fatally shot Keith and Jennifer and stabbed the children before setting fire to both families’ homes. Investigators say the killings followed escalating financial disputes between the brothers, who were business partners, including arguments over missing funds and plans to sell one of their companies. Evidence cited by prosecutors includes blood-stained clothing, a latex glove, and ammunition recovered from Caneiro’s home matching the type used in the murders. Caneiro previously rejected a plea offer that would have resulted in a life sentence without parole. He faces life in prison if convicted, this case is continuing from January, with trial coverage underway on Court TV.
Final Thoughts for New True Crime Shows & Documentaries – February 2026 Edition
That wraps up the confirmed February lineup of true crime releases across broadcast, cable, and streaming. February is always a slightly odd month for crime programming, with networks busy pushing romance, reunions, and people finding love under suspiciously perfect lighting. Still, there are enough new premieres and returning series to keep the docket active. This report will be updated if new titles are announced or scheduling changes emerge throughout the month, so make sure you check back here later.
You can cast your vote below for the February release you’re most interested in and see what other members of The Society are planning to watch.
If you missed any January premieres or want to revisit titles that carried over into the new year, the full breakdown is available in last month’s report.
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Which February true crime release are you most interested in? Click to vote.
A New House of Horror
The Investigation of Lucy Letby
Buried in the Backyard (S6/Pt 2)
The Scream Murder
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