True crime podcasting is a spot of murky, ethically grey areas. For each rigorously researched reporting of a homicide thriller, there is likely to be dozens extra the place newbie sleuths dabble in plagiarism(Opens in a brand new tab), wild hypothesis, and unchecked conspiracy theories, all whereas cracking jokes or refilling wine glasses. Such true crime followers turned content material creators may see themselves as heroes for forgotten victims. However the slippery and complicated documentary Citizen Sleuth exposes a darkish underbelly to those altruistic ambitions.
The protagonist of Citizen Sleuth is so on-the-nose of true crime podcasting cliches that she initially looks like a caricature. Emily Nestor, the host of the Mile Marker 181(Opens in a brand new tab) podcast, is a younger white lady who tasks different cool together with her messy bun, outsized eyeglasses, and smattering of tattoos, a few of which have been impressed by her ardour for true crime. You would say she wears her love of the style on her sleeve, however her tat of a coronary heart wrapped in a banner that reads “true crime” is definitely on her leg.
She showers reward on well-liked documentary reveals like Making a Assassin and I will Be Gone within the Darkish, however Nestor’s ardour for crime-solving was initially impressed by fictional FBI agent Clarice Starling of Silence of the Lambs. In that story of underestimated rural woman makes good, West Virginian Nestor noticed a path towards her personal ardour for justice. So, when a weird loss of life sparks rumors of homicide, conspiracy, and cover-up, Nestor noticed her probability to make her dream come true. By no means thoughts that she has not one of the coaching of an investigator or the boundaries of a journalist: She’s obtained a microphone and keenness, and that is sufficient to podcast.
What case does Citizen Sleuth comply with?
On November 19, 2011, a 20-year-old Black lady from Marietta, Ohio, was discovered useless on the aspect of Interstate 77 in West Virginia. Authorities would decide(Opens in a brand new tab) a automotive crash to be the reason for Jaleayah Davis’s loss of life. However hypothesis started to rumble that the chums Davis partied with earlier that night time may need a task to play in her tragic finish.
Curious particulars concerning the situation of Davis’s physique, the position of her garments, and the situation of her automotive spurred Nestor into motion, launching a podcast that aimed for uncovering darkish truths. “I learn the case information,” she shares with Citizen Sleuth’s filmmakers. “I used to be like what the hell? Homicide. Cowl-up. This must be dealt with. So, why not me?”
For 23 episodes, Nestor pursued the chances, interviewing Davis’s mom, questioning law enforcement officials, unfurling her pet principle, and sharing private tales of her personal. Citizen Sleuth begins up with Nestor as her podcast is on the rise, making her an rising luminary at true crime conventions and podcast meet-ups.
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Longing for consideration, Nestor welcomes documentarian Chris Kasick into her residence and DIY podcasting studio, which incorporates her yarn wall and a modest foam field to enhance the sound high quality of her recording. Her household warmly regards her present as a useful passion and brag about her “gumption” in pursuing this ardour with out a school training. Nevertheless, in an intention to impress, Nestor begins to spill details about the sufferer that’s embarrassing and never remotely related to the case. This twisted model of name-dropping serves as an early purple flag that this won’t be a story of sleuthing heroics.
As Kasick accompanies Nestor to a real crime conference, the place podcasters giddily line as much as have footage shot of them smiling with their merch and props, Citizen Sleuth steadily slides away from glorifying these ambitions. Amid a sea of fame-seeking followers, precise detective Paul Holes(Opens in a brand new tab) — famend for his work cracking the Golden State Killer case — appears a beacon of purpose. So, when Nestor scores an interview with him for her podcast, the place they evaluate notes over what they assume occurred to Davis, it might be a second of victory for the aspiring Starling. As a substitute, it is the place Citizen Sleuth takes its pivotal flip.
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Citizen Sleuth is boldly unsettling.
Within the third act, Nestor has fallen right into a problematic pitfall of true crime: exploitation. Her quest for the reality has yielded inconvenient solutions. To inform them might danger ending her podcast, which might additionally imply an finish to the sponsorship offers that allowed her to stroll away from waitressing, to not point out her newfound position as idol to a rising — and demanding — fandom. The documentary crew presses her on the moral dilemma whereas addressing their very own burgeoning issues, as a result of a revelation from Holes calls into query their challenge as nicely.
The strain of the ultimate act of Citizen Sleuth comes not solely from worrying about what Nestor will do but additionally questioning how her being filmed impacts her determination. With the cameras in her face, does really feel she pressed to carry out? Is that this what sparks a flurry of (white lady) tears when questioned about her benefitting from the violent loss of life of a Black lady? Or does the edit being out of her palms push her to ruthless self-evaluation? And inside these edits, the viewer may nicely marvel, what debates the filmmakers had in making — and even persevering with — their challenge after some significantly damning info involves mild.
A few of the most putting moments in Citizen Sleuth are when Kasick steps past Nestor and interviews her suspects, individuals who’d (understandably) by no means agreed to be on her podcast in any respect. Inside these interviews, a sobering slap hits the giddy thrill of amateurs dabbling in true crime. Whereas the documentary facilities on Nestor — and definitely does her few favors — it does not imply she is an outlier on this booming trade. Over the tip credit play true crime podcasters chattering away in a cacophonic audio montage, urging the viewers to assume critically about their subsequent hear.
Riveting and unnerving as it’s uncompromising, Citizen Sleuth is a must-see for true crime followers.
Citizen Sleuth was reviewed out of its World Premiere at SXSW 2023.