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The Death of the Armchair Detective
Why Small-Town Police Departments Are Now Struggling Without Them
In the not-so-distant past, a true crime podcast could crack a cold case. A Reddit thread might shake loose a fresh witness. A Facebook group could turn a mysterious disappearance into a media storm. These digital sleuths – dubbed armchair detectives – were once a powerful (and controversial) force, particularly helpful to small-town police departments with limited budgets and stretched resources.
But now, they’re vanishing. And with them, something vital is being lost.
From Internet Hobbyists to Unofficial Investigators
The golden age of the armchair detective arguably began in the early 2010s, with the rise of podcasts like Serial and online forums like Websleuths. Enthusiastic amateurs combed through police reports, mapped timelines, and even tracked suspects on social media. Their motives were mixed – some wanted justice, others notoriety, many simply couldn’t resist a mystery.
But regardless of motive, their work often helped.
In 2017, the murder of Tara Grinstead, a beauty queen and high school teacher in rural Georgia, was cracked, in part, thanks to Up and Vanished, a podcast that brought new attention (and…
