Web of Death

Just stumbled onto this show a few days ago and have already binge watched it all. Each episode contain a story about a crime that was solved with the aid of amateur sleuths. One of these cases were over 40 years old, when a Jane Doe was identified. With the internet and DNA testing very ordinary people are scratching their itch to help solve crime mysteries. In one case a head was found in a bucket of harden cement. No clues except a very general age and sex led a woman on a mission to give his family closure. She was successful and the family had answers to what happened to their loved one. Each show has a different focus. I didn't realize that there is quite a lot of pod casts and internet sites where people can help search for missing persons or volunteer to be genealogy detectives. If you have any interest in true crime this will be right up your alley.

With all due respect to the people spending countless hours behind a computer screen doing web "research" as a hobby to solve cold cases, this is about as exciting and cutting edge as a 1980s ad for the internet.

The premise (and honestly, the entire substance) of the series is how mostly retired people with too much time on their hands discover the power of the internet and such exciting new technologies as "online forums" and "Facebook" to gather more or less useful information in cases long cold.

This is no doubt useful. Online sleuthing ts a free resource that has proven to be effective (provided the case itself can make the communal juices flowing) - it is however not exaclt exciting to watch. ABCs forced drama setting and breathless retelling of events is an entirely pointless and almost comical counterpoint to the sedate process of sifting through enormous piles of information online and the entire backdrop of the equally sedate (but determined) main supporting characters.

There really isn't anything even remotely interesting about "using technology" and "awesome powers of social media" in this. Its about tenacious people who know how to google stuff - and about as interesting to watch.

Once I watched all 6 episodes of Web of Death, I looked up if another season was coming. It's listed as a mini series so I'm unsure, but I'd love to see more cases highlighted. This show puts the well-deserved spotlight on the dedicated folks who pour their time & energy into solving cold cases and/or giving the names back to John and Jane Does & the families who have waited decades to know the truth. Sure, these cases may have been heard of before by true crime junkies but it's enthralling to get a more detailed look at the cases. It's amazing how many selfless people are out there putting their hearts and souls into helping victims & their families find answers. I'm positive more than just me want to see more!

These people are so determined! I just think it's so interesting how people just sit and read, and research, and uncover clues. It's amazing to me how people from all over come to a site and work with local law-enforcement, or historians, journalist, genealogist or whatever. It's just some amazing behind the scenes work, sleuthing, and all around commitment to finish what they started! The proverbial dog with a bone. They've given names to bodies, they've given fathers and husbands back. They've given a dad reason to start his life again. They've given closure to people who have all but given up hope. Decades old cases, and I mean DECADES, solved by these amazing people. I have squalled, I have cheered and I have watched in awe as these regular everyday people have literally changed lives forever!! Keep up the good work, you truly make a difference.