The 10 Best 20/20 Podcast Episodes
The 20/20 podcast provides captivating and thorough coverage of fascinating true crime cases and news stories, inspired by ABC's renowned investigative prime-time news program. From the infamous murder of Laci Peterson to the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd, there are numerous significant stories to explore. Seasoned reporters conduct hard-hitting investigations and exclusive interviews in their true crime episodes, delving deeper into the headlines. Whether you're a fan of the 20/20 TV show or simply enjoy true crime content, this podcast is sure to satisfy. The Podyssey community has curated a list of the best 20/20 episodes to help you get started.
Last Updated: Mar 3rd, 2023
1) One Last Chance: The Trial of Scott Peterson
On Christmas Eve, 2003, Scott Peterson reported his wife, Laci Peterson, missing from their family home. She was eight months pregnant. A search ensued, but Laci’s body, and the body of their unborn son, Conner, weren’t found until April. After the discovery of their bodies, Scott was arrested and, in 2004, he was convicted of the first degree murder of his wife and the second degree murder of his son. He received the death penalty and his case was put on automatic appeal with the Supreme Court. This in-depth best 20/20 podcast episode examines the case against Scott Peterson again in advance of the new trial, including interviews with many of the case’s key players. This is a classic true crime episode that is a must-listen, even if you think you know the story of Scott Peterson.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.2) Life Online: The Last Days of Gabby Petito
Gabby Petito was constantly posting content about her aspirational van life, and when she disappeared while travelling with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, it was online internet sleuths who took it upon themselves to solve her case — for worse or for better. This was a true crime case of the Instagram and TikTok era, with theories about Gabby’s disappearance spreading like wildfire across the internet, especially concerning Gabby’s fiancé, who reportedly drove their van home without Gabby. After being named a person of interest in the case, Laundrie disappeared and Gabby’s remains were found in Wyoming. Featuring interviews with Gabby’s parents, this fascinating 20/20 episode covers the timeline and mysteries of this case, and discusses how online true crime culture shaped it from beginning to end.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.3) The Real Rebel: The Erin Brockovich Story
You probably know the film Erin Brockovich — directed by Steven Soderbergh — which won Julia Roberts a best actress Oscar. Viewers have been captivated by the unlikely hero who fought the Pacific Gas and Electric Company over contaminated water in a California community. But how much of the movie is really true? In this best 20/20 episode, you’ll hear from the real Erin Brockovich about her childhood, how she came to work on the Hinkley groundwater contamination case, and how she managed to secure a record-setting verdict for the victims. You’ll also get to hear how the film came to be and her experience as a Hollywood icon. For fans of the movie this episode is a must-listen.
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AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.4) Lock The Door Behind You
In 1993, 20-year-old college student Shawna Hawk was found raped and strangled in her bathtub. The killer was meticulous: police had no DNA, fingerprints, and seemingly no leads to go on. But coincidentally — or not so coincidentally — Shawna’s friend and coworker Caroline Love had gone missing too, a year earlier. The culprit? A serial killer named Henry Wallace, who had worked with both Caroline and Shawna at Bojangles and Taco Bell. After his arrest, Wallace admitted to killing 10 women in Charlotte, North Carolina, and one woman in his hometown in South Carolina, from 1990 to 1994. They were all young Black women. In this 20/20 podcast episode, you’ll hear from the victims’ families, as well as an exclusive interview with the only survivor of this terrible killer.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.5) "Escape from a House of Horror" - A Diane Sawyer Special Event
David Turpin and Louise Turpin were Pentecostal Christians who beat, imprisoned, starved, and even strangled their 13 children for almost 30 years. In this heart-breaking 20/20 episode, you’ll hear the 911 call from Jordan Turpin, the brave 17-year-old who escaped the home and reported her parents’ shocking abuse to authorities. You’ll also hear an interview with the police officer who responded to the call, finding a girl with a limited vocabulary, who didn’t even know her address or what a street sign was. As he entered the home, he found emaciated children chained to their beds, neglected and abused, their growth stunted. You’ll also hear from Jordan, four years after she made that call that ended her parents’ abuse, and her sister who helped plan the escape. In this best 20/20 episode with Diane Sawyer, Jordan and Jennifer talk about their time in a hell created by their own parents, and their experience of freedom since.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.6) Taken
Often referred to as the “real life Gone Girl” case, the story of what happened to Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn is so unbelievable that law enforcement thought the couple were lying for years until the real culprit was caught. On the night of March 22, 2015, Denise and Aaron were asleep in Aaron’s bed when they were awoken in the middle of the night by a man’s voice saying “Wake up, this is a robbery.” At first, Denise thought she was dreaming, but what happened was more like a nightmare. Denise was taken for 48 hours, and when Aaron tried to tell police what had happened, he wasn’t believed, even after Denise was released. In this rollercoaster ride of a 20/20 episode, you’ll hear from Denise and Aaron about what happened that horrific night and their experience since.
7) Words to Die By
You’ve probably heard of Michelle Carter, who was put on trial for encouraging her boyfriend, Conrad Roy, to commit suicide through text messages she sent him. Her story captivated the nation and has been dramatized in the Hulu Show The Girl from Plainville, starring Elle Fanning. This best 20/20 episode takes a deep look at the three-year investigation and trial of Michelle, and features interviews with Conrad’s family. You’ll also hear some of the thousands of text messages that Conrad and Michelle exchanged — she had been texting him about his depression and encouraged him to go forward with suicide. Does that mean she killed him? Take a listen to this captivating episode and see what you think.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.8) The Cult Next Door: The Mystery and Madness of Heaven's Gate
In this best 20/20 episode, legendary host Diane Sawyer and the 20/20 team unravel the mystery of one of the strangest and deadliest cults in history: Heaven’s Gate. You’ll hear newly-unearthed tapes and interviews with former followers who survived the cult, as well as the loved ones of the cult’s victims. You’ll also hear the story of Marshall Applewhite, who started the Heaven’s Gate Cult with his partner Bonnie Nettles. The two gained followers in the 1970s by purporting to be representatives for extraterrestrials recruiting humans for an experiment that would take them to a “higher evolutionary level”. For 20 years they stayed underground, evading authorities. Then, on March 26, 1997, body after body were found in their California mansion, totalling 39 people including Do himself. What could drive someone to believe in this religion and follow Do to their deaths? Hear about all this and more in this must-listen 20/20 episode.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.9) Full Episode: Friday July 31, 2020
John Robinson seemed like a perfect Kansas City family man. He was a Sunday School teacher, coached his kids’ sports teams, and volunteered as a Scoutmaster. But in June 2000, authorities uncovered the bodies of two women decaying in barrels on his farm. This was who John Robinson really was: a depraved killer who eventually confessed to brutally killing eight women. Because Robinson would often lure his victims through chat rooms with fake job offers, he’s sometimes referred to as the internet’s first serial killer. In this best 20/20 episode, journalist Chris Cuomo tells the winding tale of Robinson’s crimes, but even more interestingly, he covers the story of Tiffany Stacey, a baby who disappeared when Robinson murdered her mother Lisa. Tiffany was missing for 15 years, but was finally found: Robinson had given her to his brother. How did authorities find her? This is a captivating episode you don’t want to miss.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.10) The Dropout: The Rise and Con of Elizabeth Holmes
By now you’ve probably heard of Elizabeth Holmes, the infamous CEO of failed tech startup Theranos. Her story of ambition, deceit, and fraud has become a cultural phenomenon, and The Dropout, the ABC podcast series covering her rise, fall, and subsequent trial, has been adapted into a hit TV series starring Amanda Seyfried. In this 20/20 episode, you’ll get a deep dive into Elizabeth’s conviction, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the TV series. If you’re obsessed with the Theranos story, or just love a good con or scam tale, then this best episode is a must-listen.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.