School is out, and summer vacations are in full swing. July is the perfect time to binge-watch shows, whether you're traveling to a fun vacation destination or just relaxing at home. If you're in the mood for something with a touch of mystery and violence, check out these five gripping true crime documentaries that are currently streaming.
The Mortician (2025)
Since the release of Tiger King in 2020, there has been an increase in documentaries centered around business fraud and scandals. This HBO original documentary follows that trend, introducing a character who may be one of the biggest scammers and least likable individuals you'll ever encounter.
In the 1980s, Lamb Funeral Home in Pasadena, California, was the go-to place for funerals and memorial services. If you weren't having your service there, then you were a nobody. As their business thrived, the family decided to expand by opening a crematory, which was ultimately operated by David Sconce, the aforementioned scammer. The number of cremations skyrocketed from 194 annually to 1,675 and continued to rise rapidly, reaching a total of 8,173 by 1985. How did Sconce accomplish this, you may wonder? While I won’t reveal all the details (though it might be obvious), I will offer a hint: he was referred to as "Little Hitler" in the tabloids. Yikes. What follows is a true yet unbelievable story of a get-rich-quick scheme that shattered the trust of thousands of mourners and led to the creation of laws that morticians still follow today. Plus, there's a little murder involved.
Watch the three-part docuseries, The Mortician, on Max.
Lover, Stalker, Killer (2024)
In 2012, David Kroupa was looking for companionship. He had just come out of a long-term relationship, and he was ready to make connections with new women.
While exploring the online dating world, David met a woman named Liz Golyar. He dated her casually but never felt an instant connection. David made it clear to Liz that he wasn't quite ready for a commitment. Then, he met Cari Farver, an attractive and down-to-earth woman, and he fell for her almost instantly. After one of their first dates, they ended up back at David's apartment, where an unexpected encounter would lead to a nightmare no one could have ever imagined.
Over the next two weeks, Cari and David continued to see each other. However, on November 12, 2012, Cari disappeared. Although it initially seemed like she had simply left, concerns grew when she failed to attend major family events. Soon after, threatening text messages started to be sent to both David and Liz, with violent and sometimes deadly threats. The messages were reportedly sent by Cari Farver. If it was truly her, then where was she, and why had she suddenly become aggressive? Things are not always as they seem in this captivating documentary about a love triangle that turned deadly.
Watch Lover, Stalker, Killer on Netflix.
Murder on Middle Beach (2020)
This four-part documentary follows first-time director Madison Hamburg as he investigates the unsolved and complex murder case of his mother. On March 3, 2010, Barbara Hamburg was found brutally murdered in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Madison, Connecticut. Investigators suspect that it was a crime of passion connected to the difficult divorce proceedings between Barbara and Madison's estranged father. However, without any clear evidence, the case eventually went cold.
Madison, armed with the evidence he has collected and eight years of interviews with family members, friends, and others, begins to uncover family and town secrets. He investigates fraudulent "gifting table" schemes operated by upper- and middle-class New England housewives, allegations of murder among family members, and a police force with something to hide. This compelling documentary may start off slowly, but it takes unexpected turns that propel the story forward.
Watch Murder on Middle Beach on Max.
Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist (2018)
Pizza delivery. A collar bomb. A scavenger hunt. A dead body in a freezer. Hoarders. What do all these elements have in common? They all relate to Netflix's wild documentary, Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist.
On August 28, 2003, a pizza deliveryman named Brian Wells walked into a PNC bank to commit a robbery with an explosive collar bomb around his neck. The police were quickly alerted to the situation and cornered Wells in a parking lot, believing the collar bomb was a mere bluff. However, once the officers confirmed it was indeed a bomb, the bomb squad arrived too late—it detonated and killed Brian Wells immediately.
As law enforcement began to investigate this bizarre case, things took an unexpected turn. The investigation eventually focused on one woman with a sordid past, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, who had a plot to obtain money by having her father killed. Along with a cast of outrageous characters, the infamous "Pizza Bomber" case began to unfold. Diehl-Armstrong passed away from breast cancer in prison at the age of 68, but director Trey Borzillieri was able to spend considerable time with her before her death, revealing the sinister and heartbreaking truth behind Brian Wells's murder.
Watch Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist on Netflix.
Killer Sally (2022)
The world of bodybuilding has seen its share of scandals, but the story of Sally McNeil stands out as one of the most intriguing and hopeful within the industry. McNeil, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, won the U.S. Armed Services Physique Championship twice in the late 1980s. She married fellow bodybuilder Ray McNeil, a Mr. Olympia competitor, and both aspired to become famous professional bodybuilders. However, the costs associated with their dreams -- including an addiction to steroids -- became too overwhelming. To make ends meet, Sally began a career wrestling men on camera for $300 an hour, adopting the nickname "Killer Sally" and launching a successful career in that field. Meanwhile, Ray focused on professional bodybuilding, benefiting from Sally's earnings.
Unfortunately, both Sally and Ray had a history of violence, particularly Ray, who not only physically and sexually abused Sally but also mistreated their children. To make matters worse, he was having an affair with another woman. On Valentine's Day in 1995, tensions between the couple escalated, leading to a tragic confrontation that resulted in one of them losing their life. This brutal and heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of domestic violence and its profound impact on those involved.
Watch Killer Sally on Netflix.