A young woman’s body is found in a remote, rural area with little to go on and no way to identify her. Captain Chris and his team do the only thing they can and start going through the trash around her. A single receipt changes everything. It leads them to a man named William and a complex love triangle involving his current girlfriend and his former fiancée. When Chris puts the pieces together, the identity of the woman in the woods becomes heartbreakingly clear.
Malicious Intent
In January 2025, a 17-year-old opened fire in his school cafeteria, killing a teenage girl before turning the gun on himself. In the aftermath, Matt Kriner faces a different kind of investigation. His job is to dig through the suspect’s vast digital footprint, a record rife with racist and violent rhetoric, and piece together not just what happened, but why. And what it might take to prevent it from happening again.
Settling the Score
A man pulls a gun on his wife during an argument and refuses to surrender when law enforcement arrives. Lieutenant Ryan takes the scene and what follows is a tense, five-hour negotiation. As Ryan works to bring the situation to a safe resolution, the case becomes a window into how suspects behave in these moments and what it takes to reach them.
Bad Omen
A young mother, six weeks pregnant, reaches out to Detective Alia after being attacked by her on-again, off-again partner. Alia takes the case and gets to work, determined to get justice for her and her unborn child. But before she can get there, the case takes a turn that is as devastating as it is unexpected.
Bad for Business
Two elderly women are assaulted by the same CNA who was assigned to care for them. Detective Robert picks up the case and sits down with the suspect for a lengthy interview, walking away with a confession. But when Robert puts out a media release, the phones don’t stop ringing. Victims come forward. Former coworkers admit they knew something was wrong. What emerges is bigger than one case. It’s a picture of a broken system that allowed a predator to keep operating.
An Odious Obsession
Hector returns home from a work trip to find small things out of place. When Hector confronts his daughter, Sofia, she confesses to a secret relationship with a 68-year-old man she met swing dancing. Hector walks her straight to the police station, and that’s how Lieutenant Ryan gets the case. A controlled call gives Ryan what he needs. But it’s what Sofia says at the end of that call that changes everything and leads police to a search warrant that reveals just how deep this obsession goes.
Soft Target
A teenager confides in a friend that a 45-year-old man has been secretly entering her bedroom at night. What she doesn’t know is that he has been lying to her about his age and hiding a criminal past. When Detective Bre gets the case, she moves quickly, and with precision. Her goal isn’t just to stop him. It’s to make sure he never has the opportunity to do this again.
You’re Mine
A chaotic disturbance call comes in at 7 am. When Detective Aaron arrives, he finds a woman who says she has just escaped days of captivity at the hands of a violent ex-boyfriend, freshly released from prison. As Aaron and his team work to piece together what happened, the story she tells begins to reveal something much more troubling. Nobody saw it coming.
The Mark
In 1994, wealthy Newport Beach businessman Bill McLaughlin is shot and killed in his own kitchen. His girlfriend Nanette Johnston and her secret boyfriend, ex-NFL player Eric Naposki, are immediately suspicious…but the stories don’t hold and prosecutors can’t make charges stick. The case goes cold, leaving Bill’s family without justice for over a decade. Fifteen years later, Orange County DA Matt Murphy picks it up, determined to finally prove what really happened and who arranged it.
Blood Boiler, Part 2
This is part two of a two-part episode. As Detective Robert keeps digging into the case against Darren, more information comes to light and a disturbing picture begins to form. Darren isn’t just a womanizer with power. He’s a predator operating within the justice system. To stop him, Robert must take on not just the suspect, but the system protecting him.
Thanksgiving Bonus!
Hey Small Town Fam! It’s Thanksgiving in America so, as is tradition, we’re taking a break from our usual episodes this week. Instead of an episode, please enjoy two ad-free bonus episodes that aired on our Super Fam feed; Fight Like Hell and AI Strikes Again.
Blood-Boiler, Part 1
When Detective Robert opens an investigation into a fellow officer, he doesn’t yet realize the scope of what he’s about to uncover. The suspect, Darren, is a well-connected cop, and the woman accusing him is terrified to speak out. When she bravely comes forward, the race to stop Darren from continuing to offend is on. This is part one of a two-part episode about police misconduct, ending on a nail-biting cliffhanger.
Sorry, Not Sorry
When Detective Constable Simon becomes the sole detective on the remote island of Rothesay, he sets his sights on cleaning up the town’s growing drug problem. But just months into his new role, his investigations begin to unravel. That’s when Simon starts to suspect someone inside the department is tipping off suspects.
His search for the source turns up nothing, and he’s left to face a chilling possibility: the leak might be coming from above.
There Are Monsters
Detective Lindsey is assigned a stack of cold cases, but one file stops her in her tracks: the brutal assault of a woman whose attacker was never caught. A DNA match points to a previously convicted offender.
High Noon
It’s Deputy Alia’s day off, but instead of relaxing, she’s called in to negotiate with a barricaded suspect who has murdered his loved one. What follows is a tense and tragic police negotiation, as Alia uses her training and instincts to calm a panicked suspect and bring control to a chaotic barricade standoff.
FAFO
A man’s body is found face down with his hands zip-tied behind his back, launching Detective Aaron into a months-long homicide investigation to uncover the victim’s identity and the truth behind his death. This intense real crime case would become Detective Aaron’s final investigation before medical retirement, a case he calls “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Lie, Deny, Justify
In a quiet desert town, a well-loved schoolteacher vanishes without a trace. Lieutenant Matt joins the search. The teacher’s husband has little to say, but the investigation goes on, eventually leading to a chilling discovery.
What began as a missing person report quickly spirals into a haunting story about betrayal, loss, and the quiet instincts that crack a case wide open.
Quicksand
What starts as a carjacking by three suspects escalates into a tense hostage situation inside a fast food restaurant. On his very first call as a police negotiator, Lieutenant Ryan works to pull off a high-stakes hostage rescue, making sure every employee trapped inside gets out safely while dealing with an unexpected and frustrating distraction.
Time’s Up
Disturbing photos of an employee’s young family member are found stored on his work computer, launching a police investigation led by Detective Carrie. As the case unfolds, she uncovers a startling pattern of predatory behavior and repeated crimes against minors. One of his victims, once young and powerless, has grown up and is ready to fight back. Together she and Carrie work to bring this real crime story to a close and ensure justice is finally served.
What Went Wrong
Before he was Deputy Chief, D.C. Dan was a patrol officer in a quiet small town. When he’s called to a violent stabbing, he’s confronted by disturbing details. What unfolds is a troubling case that ultimately sets DC Dan on the path to becoming a detective.
No One Called
In 1980, officers respond to reports of a body found on the grounds of a community college. For 35 years, the murder of Barbara Mae Tucker remains unsolved. Almost to the day of the anniversary, the cold case lands on Detective Aaron’s desk. To uncover the truth, Aaron must wade through boxes of aging evidence, track down hundreds of potential suspects, and harness cutting-edge DNA technology in a race to finally bring Barbara’s killer to justice.
Dog
Detective Bre first meets Anthony during a heartbreaking case involving a young victim. When a second, eerily similar case with Anthony surfaces, Bre realizes this isn’t a one-time offense…It’s a pattern.
Determined to stop Anthony for good, Bre joins forces with Detective Brian in a high-stakes undercover operation to protect vulnerable young people before it’s too late.
The Wee Man
Surprise! We’re dropping a special preseason bonus episode to get you excited for Season 17! Detective Constable Simon recounts executing an arrest warrant on one of Scotland’s most infamous criminals. …
Misery, Part 2
In part two of this two-part case, former Orange County DA Matt and his team devise a plan to capture their main suspect—who has gone into hiding in Eastern Europe. But just when it seems like justice is within reach, a sudden misstep threatens to unravel everything they’ve built.
As the case takes a dangerous turn, Matt and his colleagues find themselves at risk—and a fiery courtroom showdown looms. In the end, it will take sharp legal maneuvering and the courage of a young woman to finally bring the suspect to justice.
Misery, Part 1
In part one of this two-part case, an above-board marijuana grower is kidnapped and brutally mutilated. Former Orange County DA Matt has a vehicle, a license plate, and a suspect’s wife willing to cooperate. But one major problem remains—the mastermind behind the crime is hiding abroad in a country that won’t extradite him.
Epilogue
In 1973, two seemingly unrelated murders in Toronto leave families shattered and the public searching for answers. Detectives chase every lead, but the case goes cold.
Decades later, Detective Sergeant Steve reopens the investigation, armed with advanced DNA technology. But solving this case isn’t just about science—it requires earning the trust of a remote Indigenous community and holding onto the hope that justice can finally be served.
A Race Against Time
After the end of a rocky relationship, a woman returns to her ex’s home to collect her things. But what should have been a simple exchange spirals into violence. In …
Judas Kiss
A stepfather has seemingly unfettered access to his three young stepchildren—both during his relationship with their mother and long after she leaves him. But when one of the children bravely discloses that she’s been sexually abused, a disturbing truth begins to surface.
Dead Weight
A woman is stabbed dozens of times in her own home and left for dead. With little to go on, Detective Aaron must follow every possible lead—a boot print, a knife, a curiously timed trip across state lines, and a web of forensic evidence.
This case is packed with twists and turns, but in the end, one thing matters most: ensuring the suspects are brought to justice.
Deadlock
Retired Detective Constable Ron is called to a crime scene as a hostage negotiator. A repeat offender facing drug charges has barricaded himself in an attic, refusing to surrender. As a crowd gathers outside, the standoff escalates—the suspect grows more erratic, and his threats against law enforcement become increasingly dangerous.
Unintended Consequences
A man viciously assaults his ex-girlfriend in a brutal, repeated act of violence. Determined to stop him for good, Prosecutor Kristin pours everything into building an airtight case. But once inside the courtroom, the proceedings take an unexpected turn, unraveling in ways she never could have predicted.
With years of experience, Kristin knows how to prepare for trial—but this case proves that even the most dedicated prosecutors are sometimes at the mercy of the very people they’re fighting to protect: the victims.
Square One
When a 9-year-old girl vanishes without a trace in 1984, a rural Canadian town is left reeling. Law enforcement quickly zeroes in on a suspect—a quiet, socially awkward neighbor. But as the case unfolds, doubts about his guilt emerge again and again.
Decades later, Detective Sergeant Steve takes on the cold case. With the power of modern DNA technology, everything once thought to be fact is suddenly back in play. Will the truth finally come to light?
Cold Blooded
After years of adventure on their dream yacht, a retired couple decides to sell it and move closer to their grandchildren. The buyers—a charming young couple with a toddler—seem perfect. …
Justice for Carla Part Two
In the conclusion of this two-part case, Paul Holes turns to DNA evidence in the search for Carla Walker’s real killer. But decades-old lab errors and missing samples threaten to derail the investigation. Despite the obstacles, the case finally reaches a definitive conclusion—answering the question once and for all: Who killed Carla Walker?
Justice for Carla Part One
In part one of this two-part case, our very own Paul Holes explains how a cold case from 1974 landed on his desk. Seventeen-year-old Carla Walker was brutally murdered on her way to a dance, and suspicion quickly fell on her boyfriend as his story kept changing. But when Paul conducts a revealing interview, the investigation takes a shocking turn. Could the real killer have been overlooked for decades? Who killed Carla Walker?
Pokerface
Retired Detective Constable Ron is called to the scene of a fatal car accident. At first, the driver is nowhere to be found. Then suddenly, the driver – a man with marked “prison swagger” – appears on the scene…or reappears, as it were. As Ron works to build a case against this driver, he reveals just how far quiet confidence will go when it comes to wrapping up a case.
2025 New Year’s Resolutions
It’s that time, Small Town Fam! The team of usual suspects are here to share their resolutions for the New Year.
Home Alone
Hey Small Town Fam! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from everyone on the Small Town Team! As a little gift, we decided to unwrap one of our premium episodes and stick it under your Christmas tree.
Hell Bent
A normal day for Trooper Dean means making sure his town’s roadways – and its drivers – are safe. But this day is not a normal day. What begins with an eviction notice and a bomb threat ends with Dean facing down what may be any cop’s worst nightmare. This is the story of that bad day and all the ones that follow.
Trust
Deputy Alia is new to her job, so when she responds to what seems like a standard “person down” call, she is pretty calm – at first. But something about what she finds gets her spidey senses tingling. Despite her lack of experience, she decides to trust her gut.
The Long Sprint
Someone is attacking young boys and Detective Constable Simon is eager to find out whom. But Simon’s partner is less than helpful; and the dynamic he has with his interim boss is getting more complicated by the day. To bring justice to the victims and their families, Simon has to challenge conventions and follow his instincts.
Psycho
A local gang is trafficking underaged girls and Detective Matt is out to find the perpetrator – and to free the victims. Two keys to his investigation: An informant, herself a victim, and his ability to go undercover to infiltrate the gang. This case reveals just how far law enforcement will go to get justice – even if it’s not ultimately served in exactly the way they wish it would be.
Heinous
A young woman finds refuge in her boyfriend’s house while he serves time in prison. But one of her new housemates – her boyfriend’s brother – turns out to be anything but protective. Detective Bre must build trust with a distraught victim and help her build a case against a terrifying subject.
Mine
Detective Brandon is called to the scene of an apparent murder. A young mother is found dead and it’s up to Brandon to figure out what happened. Multiple jurisdictions – …
Running to Ground – Pt. 2
The police are are called to investigate a disturbing incident involving a suspicious man at a grocery store. Later, the same man is spotted with a young girl. Detective Dave starts to investigate, and what he finds out about the man’s past is unsettling to say the least. This the second of a two part story.
Running to Ground – Pt. 1
The police are are called to investigate a disturbing incident involving a suspicious man at a grocery store. Later, the same man is spotted with a young girl. Detective Dave starts to investigate, and what he finds out about the man’s past is unsettling to say the least. This the first of a two part story.
Snakebit
It is Prosecutor Kristin’s first felony case and it’s a tricky one. The suspect is only 13 and is charged with murder. It’s rare you hear from prosecutors on the show and in this episode you’ll follow Kristin’s journey as she works to bring closure to the family of a young girl.
Dragnet
A man wanted for murder in a neighboring state shows up in a coastal city and leads a team of law enforcement on a wild, twenty-mile vehicle pursuit. As Detective Robert explains, the suspect turns out to have excellent aim. The team works together to take down the suspect – with a surprise twist at the end.
Retribution
The puzzle pieces laid in front of Homicide Lt. John are daunting: A forlorn lover, a violent gang, a series of fire bomb attacks, and a shooting in the parking lot of a popular burger joint. His search for justice takes him across the state of California and reveals how far some people will go to get revenge.
Superstar
A girl finds herself at the mercy of the one man she’s supposed to trust the most: her father. Detective Bre discovers the abuse and works to unravel the sinister mystery of the suspect’s past, as well as the inner workings of a family with decades of secrets. Fortunately, Bre is able to help the young victim find a way out.
The Recap!
Ever wonder what Detectives Dan and Dave, Paul Holes, and Yeardley Smith would make of the police work in “Beyond Recognition?” Well, the team recently sat down to discuss all the fascinating twists and turns at the heart of one of the most consequential murder investigations in modern history. Join them as they discuss the momentous strides made in forensic science and crime scene management, the tireless and often inspired work of the detectives trying to solve the grisly case, and a few missteps made along the way.
The Buck Stops Here
Lead prosecutor Joseph Cooksey Jackson sits with his right-hand man, Maxwell Fyfe, discussing their mounting concerns about the forensic evidence. Jackson knows the stakes are high. The success of their case hinges on presenting complex forensic evidence in a way that a jury of laymen can understand. They don’t want any doubts, reasonable or otherwise, sneaking in. Despite the damning evidence against Ruxton, the case is entirely circumstantial, and the defense is poised to challenge the identification of the bodies.
A Case for Forensics
John Milligan, a reporter from the UK’s biggest tabloid, News of the World, finds himself in the home of Dr. Buck Ruxton, now the prime suspect in the disappearance—and likely murder—of his wife Isabella and their nanny Mary Rogerson. Since the women vanished nearly a month ago, Ruxton has spun a web of lies, claiming they ran away to Scotland – or was it Blackpool? But with the discovery of the mutilated body parts found in Moffatt, suspicion has focused squarely on Ruxton. Milligan notes the doctor’s panic as he clings to his fabricated stories, unaware that the police are closing in.
Bodies of Evidence
Peter Rogerson is desperate and furious. His sister Mary, the Ruxton family’s nanny, has been missing for nearly two weeks. Peter, defying social norms, confronts Dr. Buck Ruxton at his doorstep, demanding answers. Despite Ruxton’s attempts to deflect him with tales of theft and a trip to Scotland for an illegal abortion, Peter is not convinced. He fears something terrible has happened and that Ruxton is behind it. Meanwhile, top forensic experts in the UK have begun to unmask the identities of the dismembered bodies discovered in a Scottish ravine. Using groundbreaking techniques, they piece together a puzzle as complex as any in the history of modern forensic science. And, in doing so, they begin to find a tragic answer to Peter Rogerson’s desperate query.
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
In the early morning of September 15, 1935, Agnes Oxley, a housekeeper at the home of Dr. Buck Ruxton, is roused from her sleep by an unexpected visitor. Ruxton, usually composed and well-groomed, stands disheveled and agitated at her door. Oxley finds his nervous behavior and insistence that she stay away from the house for the day odd to say the least. Little does she know, this is the beginning of a macabre tale.
Doctor’s Orders
The leading forensic scientists from Scotland have traveled to the tiny village of Moffatt to examine the body parts discovered in a ravine by a sister and brother out hiking. Authorities do not yet know how many people were killed, or by what method, or where or when; they certainly do not know who the victims are.
Horror in the Ravine
It’s a crisp autumn morning in a serene Scottish town called Moffatt. A brother and sister have gone out for a stroll through the woods. As they cross an old stone bridge, they see something in the dry stream bed below. It appears to be a severed arm, the hand reaching up from the dirt. It looks like it’s waving at them. To their horror, they learn the hand is just one of dozens of pieces of human remains scattered across the ravine.
Beyond Recognition Launches Friday!
Hosted by Yeardley Smith of Small Town Dicks, “Beyond Recognition” is a 6-part series that delves into one of the most important murder cases of the early 20th century. Inspired by a book from famed Scottish police detective Tom Wood, it features the insights of Paul Holes, Dame Sue Black, and other leading experts who not only recount the grisly crime but examine the psychological and forensic aspects of the case.
The World’s End (Again)
Today we bring you a replay of a case from Season 8. It’s called The World’s End and the detective who told us the story is Tom Wood. Tom was part of the investigation and recently wrote a book about it called, “The World’s End Murders: The Final Verdict.”
A Vile Plan
As you know, we take pride in celebrating the diligent work law enforcement performs everyday on Small Town Dicks. But sometimes, it’s the selfless act of a well-meaning citizen who saves the day. And that’s what happened on the day we pick up this case and an older couple decided to step-in when they saw something wrong. This story has everything – a car chase, a remote cabin full of hair-raising evidence, a suspect on the verge of a terrible crime, and, most importantly, a little girl who is alive today because two people decided to do something.
