The Most Popular True Crime Story, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the true crime story you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 19, 2024 07:40
In a world captivated by the twists and turns of true crime stories, knowing which tales have gripped the interest of others can be intriguing. A ranked list of popular true crime stories offers a snapshot of what mysteries are currently captivating audiences. This dynamic ranking not only reflects current trends but also shifts as new votes are cast, continuously updating to show the most engaging stories.
As users contribute their votes, they directly influence the list, bringing attention to lesser-known stories or reaffirming the intrigue of famous cases. This ongoing interaction ensures that the ranking remains fresh and relevant. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, this list provides a valuable resource for finding the stories that resonate most with readers.
What Is the Most Popular True Crime Story?
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144votesThis high-profile trial captivated the nation and sparked discussions about race, celebrity, and justice.The O.J. Simpson case refers to the high-profile criminal trial of former professional football player O.J. Simpson. It took place in 1994-1995 and captivated the nation with its sensational details and racial undertones. O.J. Simpson was accused of the double murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. The case attracted intense media coverage and is often considered one of the most famous and controversial trials in American history.
- Date: 1994-1995
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Accused: O.J. Simpson
- Victims: Nicole Brown Simpson, Ronald Goldman
- Charges: First-degree murder, second-degree murder
The O.J. Simpson case in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular true crime case
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253votes
The Ted Bundy murders
Kevin SullivanTed Bundy's killing spree in the 1970s and his subsequent trial and execution have made him one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.The Ted Bundy murders is a well-known true crime story that revolves around the life and crimes of Theodore Bundy, a notorious serial killer. Bundy committed a series of heinous crimes, which included the abduction, rape, and murder of numerous young women during the 1970s. His case gained significant media attention and sparked widespread public interest due to the shocking nature of his crimes and Bundy's charismatic personality.- Publication date: 2018
- Genre: True Crime
- Number of pages: 420
- Publisher: WildBlue Press
- Language: English
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333votesThe unsolved murder of six-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey in 1996 remains one of the most infamous cases in U.S. true crime history.The JonBenét Ramsey case is a highly notorious true crime story involving the unsolved murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado, on December 25, 1996. The case received significant media attention and has remained a subject of fascination and speculation for over two decades.
- Year: 1996
- Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Victim's Name: JonBenét Ramsey
- Age: 6
- Type of Crime: Unsolved Murder
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413votes
The Manson Family murders
Charles MansonThe Manson Family's brutal killing spree in 1969, including the murder of actress Sharon Tate, shocked the nation and cemented Charles Manson's place in criminal history.The Manson Family murders is one of the most notorious and widely discussed true crime stories. It revolves around Charles Manson, a cult leader, and his followers known as the Manson Family. The story culminated in a series of brutal murders that shocked the nation in the late 1960s.- Year: 1969
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Number of Victims: 9
- Main Motive: Helter Skelter race war
- Famous Victim: Sharon Tate
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517votesThe 2011 trial of Casey Anthony, accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter, became a media sensation and sparked debates about the criminal justice system.The Casey Anthony trial was a highly publicized criminal trial in the United States that captivated the nation. It involved the case of Casey Anthony, a young mother from Florida who was charged with the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony. The trial took place in 2011 and lasted for several months, attracting widespread media attention and public interest.
- Location: Florida, United States
- Year: 2011
- Charges: Murder
- Defendant: Casey Anthony
- Victim: Caylee Anthony
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617votesJeffrey Dahmer's gruesome crimes, including the cannibalism and dismemberment of his victims, shocked the world and made him one of the most infamous serial killers in history.The Jeffrey Dahmer murders is a true crime story based on the horrific crimes committed by Jeffrey Dahmer, a notorious serial killer and sex offender. Dahmer was active between 1978 and 1991, during which he killed and dismembered 17 men and boys. His gruesome acts included rape, necrophilia, and cannibalism. The story focuses on the investigation, arrest, and subsequent trial of Dahmer.
- Year of First Murder: 1978
- Total Victims: 17
- Crimes Committed: Murder, rape, necrophilia, cannibalism
- Capture: July 22, 1991
- Trial Date: January 30, 1992
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717votesThe still-unsolved case of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s, has captivated true crime enthusiasts for decades.The Zodiac Killer was a notorious unidentified serial killer who operated in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Northern California, USA. The killer sent taunting letters, ciphers, and cryptograms to local media outlets, boasting about his crimes and challenging the police to catch him.
- Years Active: Late 1960s to early 1970s
- Location: Northern California, USA
- Crime Type: Serial killings, shootings
- Victims: Confirmed: 5 (potentially more)
- Method of Operation: Targeted individuals, shootings, use of concealed weapons
The Zodiac Killer in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult cases solved
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88votesThe 1994 trial of Erik and Lyle Menendez, accused of murdering their wealthy parents, was a media sensation and sparked debates about abuse, privilege, and justice.The Menendez brothers trial is one of the most popular true crime stories. It revolves around the court case against Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were accused and later convicted of murdering their wealthy parents in 1989.
- Year: 1989
- Location: Beverly Hills, California, United States
- Victims: Jose Menendez and Kitty Menendez
- Accused: Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez
- Motive: Inheritance and alleged abuse
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92votes
The Green River Killer
Gary RidgwayThe case of the Green River Killer, who murdered at least 49 women in Washington state in the 1980s and 1990s, is one of the most prolific serial killer cases in U.S. history.The Green River Killer refers to the true crime story of one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. Gary Ridgway, also known as The Green River Killer, was responsible for a series of murders of young women in the Seattle, Washington area between the 1980s and 1990s. His crimes remained unsolved for many years, making him one of the most elusive serial killers of his time.- Number of Victims: At least 49 confirmed victims
- Timeframe: 1982 - 2000
- Method of Killing: Strangulation
- Targeted Victims: Primarily young women, often prostitutes or runaways
- Victim Disposal: Dumped in remote locations, primarily along the Green River
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108votesThe 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which killed 168 people and injured hundreds more, remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.The Oklahoma City bombing refers to a domestic terrorist attack that occurred on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City, United States. It involved the detonation of a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, resulting in the deaths of 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring over 500 others. The incident is considered one of the deadliest acts of terrorism on American soil.
- Date: April 19, 1995
- Location: Oklahoma City, United States
- Fatalities: 168
- Injuries: Over 500
- Target: Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
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Ranking factors for popular true crime story
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Media CoverageThe amount of media coverage a particular true crime story has received can be a key factor in its popularity.
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Public InterestThe level of public interest in a particular true crime story can be determined by the number of social media shares, views, and likes.
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IntrigueTrue crime stories that are especially mysterious, suspenseful or have surprising twists will often receive a lot of attention and can become very popular.
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ImpactThe impact that a particular true crime story has had on society, the victims or their families is also an important factor.
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Notable CoverageThe amount of detailed coverage a particular true crime story has received through video documentaries, featured news stories, podcasts, books, articles, movies and television can also be a significant factor in its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular true crime story. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or narrative is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4699 views
- 183 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each narrative once every 24 hours. The rank of each narrative is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular true crime story
True crime stories have always been a popular topic of discussion among people. The fascination with true crime stories can be attributed to the thrill of the unknown and the desire to understand the mind of a criminal. From infamous serial killers to unsolved mysteries, true crime stories have captivated the attention of audiences for decades. With the rise of podcasts, documentaries and books, the true crime genre has gained even more popularity in recent years. As a result, there are now countless true crime stories to choose from, each with its unique twists and turns. But which true crime story is the most popular among audiences? Let's find out.
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