True Criminals

Audio Bleach Global

True Criminals is your weekly deep dive into both historic and contemporary crime stories, hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero. With decades of frontline reporting experience, Martin and Helen go beyond the headlines to uncover exclusive insights and untold details from some of the most gripping criminal investigations.

Each episode delivers powerful storytelling and rare access, featuring guests such as senior detectives, investigative journalists, bestselling authors, and individuals directly connected to the crimes. Whether it’s a high-profile case or one that’s never made the news, True Criminals offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the criminal justice system.

True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global, led by a BAFTA-winning producer Russell Barnes and currently nominated for Outstanding Independent Podcast at the True Crime Awards 2025.

For questions and listener feedback, contact us at [email protected]

Follow us:

Instagram: @true.criminals

YouTube: @True-Criminals

TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast

Connect with the hosts

Martin Brunt on Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Read his book No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter – Buy on Amazon

Helen Fospero on Instagram: @helenfospero

Listen to her podcast The Convex Conversation: Apple Podcasts

Credits

Produced by: Audio Bleach Global

Executive Producer: Lee Mann

Producer: Russell Barnes

Audio Production: Andrew Chappell

Original Music: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

Learn more: audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 True Criminals Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best True Criminals episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to True Criminals for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite True Criminals episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Torso in the Thames: Part 1 – Ritual Murder or Something Else?

True Criminals

02/11/25 • 39 min

On September 21, 2001, a horrifying discovery was made in London’s River Thames—the torso of a young African boy, dismembered and stripped of identity. The case was chilling, and what followed was one of the most disturbing and complex international investigations in British history.

The victim, named Adam by investigators, appeared to be the subject of a ritualistic killing. With no immediate leads, detectives turned to African communities and cultural experts for answers. In April 2002, the investigation took an extraordinary turn when Police Commander Andy Baker and his team traveled to South Africa. There, former President Nelson Mandela issued a public plea for information in a desperate effort to uncover the truth.

The search for answers led the team into the dark world of ritual sacrifice and spiritual belief systems, even consulting a witch doctor to understand the potential motives behind the crime.

In Torso in the Thames (Part 1), Martin and Helen trace the origins of the investigation, the shocking cultural dimensions of the case, and the global manhunt for a name, a motive, and ultimately, justice.

#TorsoInTheThames #TrueCrimePodcast #UKCrime #UnsolvedMurder #RitualKilling #ColdCase #ChildVictim #JusticeForAdam #BritishCrime #CrimeInvestigation

If you found this episode compelling, try:

The Butcher of Delicias
The Boy in the Suitcase
Unheard: The Fred & Rose West Tapes
Shreds: Murder in the Dock
The Nobody Zone

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madeleine McCann: Disappeared: Part 3 – Trolls, Tragedy & Truth

True Criminals

12/10/24 • 39 min

In Part 3 of True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero delve into the chilling consequences of online trollingand media pressure in the Madeleine McCann case. The episode explores how digital abuse, public scrutiny, and media sensationalism escalated to tragic outcomes, culminating in the heartbreaking death of Brenda Leyland. This raises critical questions about the responsibility of both media and digital platforms in perpetuating online hate.

In this compelling conclusion to Madeleine McCann: Disappeared, True Criminals shifts focus from the physical search to the psychological and digital landscape that followed. Hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and veteran journalist Helen Fospero, the episode unravels the profound toll of online harassment on the McCann family and the role the media played in exacerbating public outrage and misinformation.

Part 3: Trolls centers on the tragic story of Brenda Leyland, a Twitter user who became notorious for spreading conspiracy theories about the McCanns. After being confronted by Martin Brunt in a Sky News interview, Leyland tragically took her own life. This devastating incident highlights the dark side of digital platforms and ignites a wider conversation about media ethics, mental health, and the consequences of online hate.

Martin Brunt offers rare, deeply personal reflections on the impact of this tragedy—on both the individuals involved and the media landscape at large. He also addresses the ethical dilemmas journalists face when navigating the digital age.

For fans of The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (Netflix), The Missing, and Crime Junkie, this episode provides a sobering examination of how true crime obsession and digital trolling collide, with devastating consequences for real people.

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Knightsbridge Heist: Part 1 – Inside Valerio Viccei’s £60 Million Robbery - Featuring Detective Dick Leach

True Criminals

12/17/24 • 34 min

Discover the shocking details of the Knightsbridge Heist from 1987, one of the world’s largest robberies. Join Martin Brunt, Helen Fospero, and Dick Leach as they reveal how Valerio Viccei's £60 million heist was foiled. Exclusive insights and true crime storytelling await in this first part of our double episode.

On July 12, 1987, one of the world’s largest robberies took place at the Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Centre in London. Led by the notorious Valerio Viccei, his criminal crew managed to steal an estimated £60 million, making it one of the most audacious heists in history. Known for his dangerous past and playboy lifestyle, Viccei left behind a bloody fingerprint that eventually led to his capture.

In the first part of our "True Criminals" double episode on the Knightsbridge Heist, crime expert Martin Brunt from Sky News and seasoned journalist Helen Fospero sit down with Dick Leach, the detective who played a pivotal role in bringing the mastermind Valerio Viccei to justice.

Listen as they discuss the investigation, hear exclusive insights from Dick Leach, and learn how this daring heist was eventually unraveled. Tune in to this gripping true crime story and discover the secrets behind one of the UK's most infamous robberies.

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hatton Garden Heist: The Diamond Wheezers - Part 2: Inside the Mind of a Diamond Geezer

True Criminals

04/22/25 • 25 min

Easter 2015: While London slept, a geriatric gang of thieves, armed with drills and decades of criminal audacity, ransacked the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Centre, making off with over £14 million in jewels and gold. But their old-school methods collided spectacularly with the digital age, leading to their swift capture.

In this gripping second part of "The Diamond Wheezers," join Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero as they delve into Martin's unprecedented correspondence with one of the key players: Danny Jones. Go beyond the headlines and into the mind of a "burnt-out burglar" who offers to return his share of the loot, leading to a bizarre and heavily armed police operation at a London cemetery.

Uncover the dark humor, the surprising tenderness, and the audacious double-bluff that characterized Danny Jones's letters from behind bars. Did the police really refuse his offer? What was found buried beneath a memorial plaque? And what does Danny reveal about an alleged "inside job"?

This episode explores the human side of the heist, the victims largely forgotten in the initial media frenzy, and the almost comical incompetence that brought down this "Dad's Army" of criminals. Was the Hatton Garden Heist truly the last hurrah for Britain's old-school villains in a rapidly changing world?

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Killing of Jill Dando: Part 1 – A Nation in Shock

True Criminals

01/28/25 • 49 min

The murder of Jill Dando shocked the UK—this true crime podcast revisits the unsolved case that continues to baffle investigators.

In Part 1 of our gripping two-part series, we explore the 1999 killing of BBC Crimewatch presenter and national treasure, Jill Dando, who was shot outside her home in a crime that stunned the nation. Despite one of the largest homicide investigations in British history, the case remains unsolved.

Host and Sky News Crime Correspondant, Martin Brunt, the first journalist on the scene, recounts the moment he broke the tragic news to the public. He’s joined by Helen Fospero and Detective Chief Inspector Hamish Campbell of the original “Dando Squad,” to examine the earliest days of the investigation.

Why did police focus on Barry George as the prime suspect? What clues were missed? And why, decades later, does this case still leave so many questions unanswered?

This episode lays the foundation for a story of twists, controversy, and a justice system under the microscope. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dig deeper into the theories, the fallout, and the search for the truth.

👉 Subscribe now to follow the full story.

If you liked this episode, try:

Death of a Star: The Jill Dando Murder Mystery
The Teacher’s Pet
Who Killed Daphne?
Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Doorstep Murder

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sarah Payne Case: Part 1 – Surveillance, Secrets, and a Prime Suspect

True Criminals

02/25/25 • 50 min

The abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in July 2000 horrified the UK—and ultimately led to a historic shift in child protection legislation.

In Part 1 Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero are joined by Detective Inspector Martyn Underhill, one of the lead investigators on the case. Underhill offers an exclusive inside account of the early investigation, sharing never-before-heard details about the massive police operation to monitor prime suspect Roy Whiting.

From painstaking surveillance to bold, unconventional tactics, this episode unveils the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that brought authorities closer to justice. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most impactful child abduction cases in British legal history.

If you found this episode compelling, try:

The Murder of James Bulger
The Moors Murders
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
The Secret Tapes of the O.J. Case
Parents Under Pressure: The Baby P Story

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Southport Murders: Part 2 – Youth Violence and Systemic Failures

True Criminals

03/18/25 • 34 min

In this powerful conclusion to The Southport Murders, we uncover the full scope of a tragedy that shook Southport to its core. On July 29, 2024, a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club at HeartSpace Dance School became the scene of unimaginable horror when 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana launched a brutal knife attack, killing three young girls and injuring several others.

In Part 2, Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and former Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley dive deep into the systemic failures that allowed this tragedy to unfold. We examine Rudakubana’s violent past—marked by school exclusions, disturbing behavior, and a history of missed opportunities for intervention. Despite multiple warnings, including referrals to the UK’s Prevent Program, no action was taken to stop him.

We also explore the societal factors that contributed to this crisis, including the growing issue of youth violence, mental health struggles, and the impact of austerity on frontline services. Hurley offers expert analysis on the police response to public disorder and the riots that followed the attack, providing crucial insight into the challenges law enforcement faces in today’s climate of reduced resources and rising community tensions.

Could this tragedy have been prevented? Who is responsible? In this urgent and thought-provoking episode, we ask the difficult questions and examine what must change to safeguard vulnerable children before it’s too late.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence involving children. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

#SouthportMurders #AxelRudakubana #TrueCrime #YouthViolence #PreventProgram #KevinHurley #KnifeCrime #PublicOrder #SouthportTragedy #MentalHealth #UKCrime #SystemicFailures #CrimePodcast

If you found this case compelling, be sure to check out:

The Southport Murders: Part 1 - Taylor Swift Party Turns to Tragedy
The Killing of Jill Dando
The Sarah Payne Case
The Manchester Arena Bombing

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Southport Murders: Part 1 - Taylor Swift Party Turns to Tragedy

True Criminals

03/11/25 • 50 min

On a warm July morning, a Taylor Swift-themed children’s holiday club in Southport should have been filled with dancing, joy, and summer fun. Instead, it became the site of a horrifying mass attack.

In Part 1 of The Southport Murders, Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt revisits the chilling events of July 29, when 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, armed with a 20cm kitchen knife purchased online, launched a deadly assault that left three children dead and several others fighting for their lives. What drove this teenager from Lancashire to commit such an unthinkable act?

Joined by former Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley, Martin and Helen Fospero examine the early timeline of the attack, the suspect’s background, and the riots and outrage that followed. With insight into youth violence, online weapon access, and police public order strategy, this episode delves deep into the tragedy that stunned the nation and shattered a community.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic content related to violence involving children. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

#SouthportMurders #TrueCrimePodcast #KnifeCrimeUK #AxelRudakubana #TaylorSwiftClubAttack #ChildVictims #UKCrime #TrueCriminals #YouthViolence #MassAttack

If this case gripped you, also listen to:

The Manchester Arena Bombing
The Killing of Lee Rigby
Children Who Kill
The Dunblane Massacre
Knife Crime in Britain: A Nation on Edge

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Convex Conversation Takeover: Martin Brunt

True Criminals

01/07/25 • 53 min

In case you didn't know, Helen hosts her own podcast, The Convex Conversation, where she interviews some of the world's most inspiring figures—including record-breaking athletes, explorers, royalty, scientists, and inventors.

Before joining True Criminals, Helen had the opportunity to interview Martin about his remarkable career and his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter.

In their conversation, Martin shares gripping stories about his interactions with notorious figures like violent prisoner Charles Bronson, recounts an unexpected encounter with his music idol Sir Paul McCartney, and explores the nation’s unquenchable fascination with crime—both real and fictional.

He also reveals how his interest in Valerio Viccei, the charismatic Italian mastermind behind Britain’s largest jewelry heist, led to a chilling death threat.

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Share your thoughts and questions by emailing [email protected].

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book:

No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter

Available Here

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Credits:

True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.

Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann

Producer: Russell Barnes

Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fugitives: The Great Train Robbery - Part 2

True Criminals

05/13/25 • 50 min

Step inside one of Britain’s most notorious crimes—the Great Train Robbery of 1963—in this gripping true crime podcast episode. Join journalist Helen Fospero and Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt as they uncover the real story behind the £2.6 million heist (worth over £70 million today) that stunned the nation.

Featuring an exclusive interview with Nick Reynolds, son of criminal mastermind Bruce Reynolds, this episode reveals never-before-heard details about the meticulous planning, dramatic execution, and dramatic aftermath of the infamous train robbery in Buckinghamshire.

Discover the colorful cast of characters behind the robbery, the chilling assault on train driver Jack Mills, and the gang’s rural hideout at Leatherslade Farm. Hear how tiny mistakes unraveled the plan, leading to one of the biggest manhunts in UK history.

Nick Reynolds offers intimate insights into his father’s criminal legacy and shares emotional memories from Bruce Reynolds’ funeral—attended by iconic figures like Ronnie Biggs and poet John Cooper Clarke.

Listen now to uncover the untold truth behind the Great Train Robbery.

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Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals

Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals

Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575

Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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FAQ

How many episodes does True Criminals have?

True Criminals currently has 30 episodes available.

What topics does True Criminals cover?

The podcast is about Survivor, Serial Killer, Missing Person, Unsolved, True Crime, History, Cold Case, Murder, Investigation, Justice, Podcasts and Detective.

What is the most popular episode on True Criminals?

The episode title 'Muriel McKay: Mistaken Identity, Kidnap, Ransom and Murder' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on True Criminals?

The average episode length on True Criminals is 40 minutes.

How often are episodes of True Criminals released?

Episodes of True Criminals are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of True Criminals?

The first episode of True Criminals was released on Oct 29, 2024.

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True Criminals

Audio Bleach Global

Top 10 True Criminals Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does True Criminals have?

What topics does True Criminals cover?

What is the most popular episode on True Criminals?

What is the average episode length on True Criminals?

How often are episodes of True Criminals released?

When was the first episode of True Criminals?

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