This Much is True Crime

Martin Frizell & Prof David Wilson
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  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ever wonder why serial killers kill or why ordinary people sometimes do extraordinary things, sometimes downright evil things? This Much is True Crime is a weekly look at crime making the headlines and that includes crime drama and docuseries that are making news themselves. The hosts are news reporter and tv producer Martin Frizell and Britain's top criminologist Professor David Wilson.

  1. 1D AGO

    Epiosode 47: Why is the Nancy Guthrie Kidnap Very Strange?

    We each have a foot in both camps in this episode. I, broadcaster and journalist Martin Frizell, have spent much of my career in breakfast and daytime tv, indeed I'm married to a former morning show anchor, Fiona Phillips. Professor of Criminology David Wilson has studied the reasons behind kidnapping and the typical profile of abductors. And yet there's something about the kindnap of NBC Today host Savannah Guthrie's 84 year old mum that is puzzling. Three weeks in and no sign of life from Nancy, no confirmation of a ransom note but a very amateurish break in at her home in Tucson, Arizona. And a statement from the Sheriff that no members of the wider Guthrie family are being questioned as part of the inquiry. All very strange according to our expert criminologist...

    37 min

  2. FEB 11

    Episode 46: Why Wasn’t The Killer Clown Stopped?

    He was one of America’s most prolific serial killers, John Wayne Gacy, murderer of 33 teens and young men, executed for his crimes - but what was the motive? The new documentary on ITVX, Devil in Disguise, explores Gacy’s clown connection, the trauma on his victims and families, prejudice in 70’s USA and glaring police failings. The killer protested his innocence to the end but his crimes are now textbook reading and possibly led to copycat killings by British serial killer Dennis Nilsen.

    39 min

  3. FEB 2

    Episode 45: "I warned police the Suffolk Strangler had killed before’

    Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright has admitted the murder of 17 year old sixth former Victoria Hall near Felixstowe in 1999. He's already serving life without parole for the killing of five other women in the Ipswich area years later in 2006. Professor of Criminology David Wilson investigated the five murders at the time and wrote a. book on Wright's serial killing methods but he also called on police to investigate the death of young Victoria years earlier. The Professor believed she had been one of the serial killer first victims and today he was proved correct. This is a half hour of fascinating insight from someone who knows - and his fears that there are other missing girls waiting to be linked to the killer,

    30 min

  4. JAN 28

    Episode 44: The Former Nurse Who Cured The Gangsters

    Why is Karyn McCluskey not a Dame? Along with a colleague she revolutionised the way Glasgow tackled its notorious gangland problem, reduced killings, attacks and made the city streets safe again for the first time in generations. The former nurse from Falkirk persuaded authorities to treat violence as a disease, a health problem rather than criminal justice issue and the killings and slashings dropped dramatically in a city that was once known as the murder capital of Western Europe. Karyn's strategy was so successful it was adopted in London where murders have also fallen to a new low. And cities around the world are looking to copy. In this episode Karyn explains how it works, an enlightening positive discussion with a remarkable woman who deserves more than an honorary degree from the Open University.

    42 min

  5. JAN 21

    Episode 43: Did We Jail The Wrong Man For Lin and Megan Russell Murders?

    Is this the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history? If Michael Stone didn’t kill Lin and Megan Russell and leave Josie for dead, then who did? In a major new development, a star forensic scientist has cast doubt on Stone’s conviction, he’s protested his innocence from behind bars for almost 30 years. In this latest episode, we assess the chances of Stone walking free, and they are high - so says Britain’s leading criminologist who has studied the case and spoken to a member of the original investigation.

    33 min

  6. JAN 16

    Episode 42: Real Traitors Special

    We all loved Alan Carr but what does it take to be a real traitor and what are the real consequences if caught? For many British traitors it wasn't a round table, a hug from Claudia, black Land Rover home and an interview on This Morning, real traitors faced the hangman and several were executed for treason. In this epsiode we highlight three real traitors, two sentenced to death, the other escaped to be a Soviet hero.

    38 min

  7. JAN 8

    Episode 41: Is this The Trial of the Century?

    Could this be the Trial of the Century? First podcast of the year and we update the astonishing case of Luigi Mangione, the US cult hero accused of assassinating a health insurance boss - a court hearing this week will consider whether he faces the death penalty if guilty. Link in bio

    36 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    Episode 40: The Salt Path, Lies and Fantasy?

    Why is the family of Salt Path author Raynor Wynn turning against her? After the summer scandal undermining the world bestseller - and movie - Raynor's family and those of her husband Moth have contributed to an update documentary using words such as 'liar' and 'fantasist'. In this bumper edition, we report on the latest developments in all of the most popular stories we have covered this year. Expect Salt Path, Madeline McCann, Suzy Lamplugh, deadly Beef Wellington and more.

    52 min
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About

Ever wonder why serial killers kill or why ordinary people sometimes do extraordinary things, sometimes downright evil things? This Much is True Crime is a weekly look at crime making the headlines and that includes crime drama and docuseries that are making news themselves. The hosts are news reporter and tv producer Martin Frizell and Britain's top criminologist Professor David Wilson.

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Frizell & Prof David Wilson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Martin Frizell & Prof David Wilson
  • Show Website
    This Much is True Crime

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