True Crime Cases Covered Multiple Times: Menendez Brothers, More

When a real crime case is making headlines, there are normally a number of packages masking the identical topic inside months of one another.

Not each duel launch is intentional, however subjects reminiscent of Sherri Papini‘s kidnapping case and Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez‘s notorious homicide trial are nice examples of a number of protection on the identical high-profile scenario.

Papini made headlines in 2016 after she was allegedly kidnapped whereas going for a jog in her California neighborhood. She resurfaced 22 days later, which is when Papini claimed she had been crushed and branded by her captors. As new particulars emerged after her return, Papini was finally arrested in 2022 for orchestrating her abduction. She pleaded responsible to a federal decide later that 12 months and was sentenced to 18 months in jail for committing mail fraud and mendacity to a federal officer about being kidnapped.

Papini’s case was explored in Hulu’s Excellent Spouse: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, which debuted in June 2024. Sherri’s now-ex-husband Keith Papini and several other of her relations and family members participated within the docuseries. One month after Excellent Spouse began streaming, Investigation Discovery introduced an upcoming docuseries the place Sherri will communicate out for the primary time in regards to the controversy. The present will debut in 2025.

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In the meantime, the Menéndez brothers have been arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree homicide after their mother and father — José and Kitty — have been discovered shot to dying of their residence. Two trials resulted in Erik and Lyle being sentenced to life with out parole whereas they maintained that their mom and father have been bodily, emotionally and sexually abusive.

Their case obtained renewed assist in September 2024 after turning into the main focus of Murphy’s Monsters collection. Monsters got here below fireplace for a number of scenes alluding to an incestuous relationship between Lyle and Erik. Lower than one week after Monsters was launched, Netflix introduced that Lyle and Erik have been interviewed for The Menéndez Brothers documentary. The October 2024 launch contains footage from conversations with juror Betty Oldfield, Kitty’s sister Joan Vander Molen and prosecutor Pamela Bozanich.

Hold scrolling for extra examples of dueling true crime initiatives:

‘The Actual Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist’ vs. ‘The Ringleader: The Case of the Bling Ring’

The Bling Ring — consisting of Rachel Lee, Nick Prugo, Alexis Neiers, Courtney Ames and Diana Tamayo — turned notorious for stealing roughly $3 million in money and belongings from Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Audrina Patridge, Rachel Bilson and lots of extra celebrities’ properties from 2008 to 2009.

Following their 2010 arrests, the group was the inspiration behind Sofia Coppola‘s movie of the identical identify and a e-book by New York Instances bestselling writer Nancy Jo Gross sales. There was a renewed curiosity within the case when Prugo and Neiers participated in Netflix’s 2022 docuseries The Actual Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist.

Lee broke her silence in a separate documentary on HBO titled The Ringleader. Lee was the primary topic of the 2023 mission as she provided her facet of the story 15 years after the crimes initially made headlines.

‘Excellent Spouse: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini’ vs. Investigation Discovery’s Model

Sherri’s household and family members provided glimpses into her life because the kidnapping controversy in Hulu’s Excellent Spouse: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini and subsequent press interviews.

After serving time behind bars, Sherri remained tight-lipped in regards to the scenario. Investigation Discovery confirmed in 2024 that they have been engaged on a documentary the place Sherri would publicly handle her authorized points for the primary time.

“Sherri Papini drew worldwide consideration when she went lacking after which once more, when she returned. Whereas many views have been advised, there’s one standpoint that the world hasn’t heard and that’s from Sherri herself,” President of ID Jason Sarlanis mentioned in an announcement on the time. “Investigation Discovery will current a brand new facet of Sherri Papini’s case — advised by her in her personal phrases.”

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‘American Homicide: Laci Peterson’ vs. ‘Face to Face With Scott Peterson’

Netflix and Peacock each revisited Scott Peterson‘s conviction for pregnant spouse Laci Peterson‘s homicide in two totally different documentaries.

Scott was arrested and charged with two counts of homicide in 2003 after his spouse disappeared. Laci, who was eight months pregnant on the time, was later discovered lifeless at age 27. After a high-profile trial, Scott, who denied any involvement, was discovered responsible of the first-degree homicide of Laci and the second-degree homicide of their toddler son, Conner.

Scott was initially given a dying sentence, however the ruling was overturned in 2020. One 12 months later, he was re-sentenced to life in jail with out the potential for parole. His case made headlines once more in January 2024 when the Los Angeles Innocence Challenge introduced they have been making an attempt to assist overturn Scott’s homicide conviction.

In July 2024, Peacock introduced its three-part docuseries, Face to Face With Scott Peterson, which featured Scott breaking his silence 20 years after he was discovered responsible for the homicide of Laci and their unborn little one. One week later, Netflix adopted swimsuit with the information that American Homicide: Laci Peterson could be masking the identical true crime case — and was launched days earlier than Peacock’s model.

‘Scoop’ vs. ‘A Very Royal Scandal’

Prime Video’s A Very Royal Scandal was a fictional recreation of Prince Andrew’s 2019 interview by which he denied realizing Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. The accusations have been revealed after Andrew’s reference to convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein went public.

The subject was beforehand coated in Netflix’s Scoop, which was one other dramatization in regards to the notorious interview.

‘Monsters’ vs. ‘The Menendez Brothers’

The scripted model of Erik and Lyle’s story was launched in September 2024 with Nicholas Alexander Chavez bringing Lyle to life whereas Erik was performed by Cooper Koch. José and Kitty, in the meantime, have been portrayed by Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny, respectively. Erik and different members of the Menéndez household slammed the collection whereas Murphy stood by the manufacturing.

Lyle and Erik will get to inform their facet of the story in Netflix’s The Menéndez Brothers doc.

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Diddy on Netflix vs. Diddy on Investigation Discovery

Sean “Diddy” Combs was indicted in September 2024 on costs of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking by power, fraud or coercion and transportation to interact in prostitution, in the future after he was arrested and brought into custody in Manhattan. (He pleaded not responsible to all costs earlier than being denied bail.)

At some point after he was indicted, Investigation Discovery introduced an unnamed doc which might be “exploring the rise and affect of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the allegations of violent conduct and criminal activity which have trailed the music mogul.”

50 Cent, in the meantime, teamed up with Netflix and director Alexandria Stapleton for a docuseries about Diddy’s alleged crimes. (50 Cent initially introduced plans for the doc in December 2023, which was almost a 12 months earlier than Diddy was arrested and sued by a number of ladies who accused him of sexual assault, which he has continued to disclaim.)

“This can be a story with vital human influence. It’s a complicated narrative spanning a long time, not simply the headlines or clips seen up to now,” 50 Cent and the director mentioned in an announcement that very same month. “We stay steadfast in our dedication to provide a voice to the unvoiced and to current genuine and nuanced views. Whereas the allegations are disturbing, we urge all to keep in mind that Sean Combs’ story will not be the complete story of hip-hop and its tradition. We intention to make sure that particular person actions don’t overshadow the tradition’s broader contributions.”

‘Quiet on Set’ vs. ‘Baby Star’

Investigation Discovery made headlines in 2024 when administrators Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz explored Nickelodeon’s previous poisonous work atmosphere in Quiet on Set: The Darkish Aspect of Youngsters TV. The docuseries particularly highlighted producer Dan Schneider’s time on the community with initiatives reminiscent of All That, The Amanda Present, iCarly, Victorious, Sam & Cat and extra.

The five-part docuseries additionally featured Drake Bell breaking his silence about being the minor concerned in a sexual abuse case in opposition to dialogue coach Brian Peck. (Peck was arrested in August 2003 for sexually abusing a then-unnamed little one. Peck pleaded no contest to performing a lewd act with a sufferer round 14 or 15 years previous and to oral copulation with a toddler below 16 years previous, which resulted in a 16-month jail sentence.)

Baby Star, in the meantime, got here out later that very same 12 months with Demi Lovato on the helm of the storytelling as she appeared on and directed the documentary. The Hulu particular featured Lovato sharing her experiences from little one stardom whereas interviewing different actors in regards to the pitfalls of fame reminiscent of substance abuse points, cash issues and extra.