Ep 5. The Puzzling Case of Marilyn and Sam Sheppard

In this episode of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime, hosts Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej delve into the mysterious case of Marilyn and Sam Sheppard. Sam Sheppard was a prominent doctor living in Ohio in the 1950s, when his pregnant wife, Marilyn, was brutally murdered in their home. The case attracted national attention and Sheppard was eventually convicted of the crime, but his guilt has been widely debated for decades.

Bergara and Madej start their investigation by examining the details of the crime itself. Marilyn was found bludgeoned to death in their bedroom, and there was evidence of a struggle. Sheppard claimed he had been asleep on the couch when the attack occurred, but there were no signs of forced entry and his story was full of inconsistencies. The police also discovered that Sheppard had been having affairs with multiple women, which cast suspicion on him.

However, the hosts point out that there were several issues with the investigation and trial that suggest Sheppard may have been wrongfully convicted. For example, the media coverage of the case was so extensive that it's possible the jury was swayed by public opinion. There were also allegations that the police mishandled evidence and coerced witnesses into testifying against Sheppard.

Bergara and Madej interview several experts who have studied the case, as well as family members of both Marilyn and Sam Sheppard. They explore the various theories that have been put forth over the years, including the possibility that Marilyn's killer was actually a burglar who had been targeting other homes in the area.

As they dig deeper into the case, the hosts uncover some surprising information about the Sheppards' marriage and personal lives. They also examine the impact the case had on the legal system and how it inspired the popular TV show, The Fugitive.

Through it all, Bergara and Madej approach the case with a mix of skepticism and empathy, recognizing that the truth may never be fully known. Their investigation is both informative and thought-provoking, as they consider the many factors that led to Sam Sheppard's conviction and the ongoing controversy surrounding the case. Fans of true crime will find plenty to analyze and debate in this gripping installment of BuzzFeed Unsolved.