True Crime Documentaries

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BBC Select delves into the world of true crime with a range of eye-opening documentaries. Learn more about crimes that made the headlines including the Wests and Jimmy Saville, shocking misdemeanors from recent times in Britain and America, as well as unlawful acts from the past including the crimes of Jack the Ripper.

Believe in Magic: The Mother of All Cons

Believe in Magic: The mother of all cons

A teenage girl’s charity for sick children brings fairytales to life and wins celeb-backing from One Direction. But when some parents turn detective, a darker truth comes to light.

The Trial of Fergie's Royal Dresser

The Trial of Fergie's Royal Dresser

Tommy Cressman is found dead days after returning from France with his girlfriend Jane Andrews, former royal dresser for Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. As she stands accused of murder, questions remain: did she kill him, and if so, why?

Kingpins

Kingpins

Like any legitimate business, criminal organizations operate using a hierarchy of underlings, operatives and decision makers. And there’s one person at the very top, pulling the strings – the kingpin. But how do they make it there? Filmmaker Ben Zand explores the steps taken to reach the pinnacle of a crime gang, the vicious behavior required to stay there and the constant threats they face.

The Kim Kardashian Diamond Heist

The Kim Kardashian Diamond Heist

In May 2025, eight people were found guilty of the robbery of reality television icon Kim Kardashian in 2016. In the immediate aftermath, some accused Kardashian of staging the robbery as a publicity stunt, igniting debates about the price of fame in the digital age. Now, set against the backdrop of the recent trial, those close to the case reveal details of the crime for the first time.

Killing Escobar

Killing Escobar

The incredible true story of mercenary Peter McAleese, who was hired to kill Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in 1989. With unprecedented access to Peter and other members of his team, this is the first full account of that fateful mission and the dark consequences for those involved. McAleese actively sought out war but admits that he paid a costly price for his desire to seek adventure.