Hi everyone,
I’m interested in true crime, but lately I’ve been thinking about an angle that seems much less discussed: what happens to the families of perpetrators after the crime.
Most coverage understandably focuses on victims, investigations, or the perpetrators themselves. What I’m looking for instead are books, podcasts, documentaries, or long-form articles that explore the experiences of parents, siblings, spouses, or other close relatives of people who committed mass shootings, assassinations, or other serious violent crimes.
I’m especially interested in content that looks at:
- how families cope with guilt, stigma, and public blame
- what “moving on” even means in these situations
- ethical, psychological, or journalistic approaches (not sensationalism)
I’m not looking to excuse or glorify perpetrators — this is about understanding the long-term human and social impact on people who didn’t commit the crime but are permanently linked to it.
If you have recommendations (or specific episodes), I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.
by coconutrum2000