Advertise on podcast: Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder

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4.2

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1662 reviews

Description

The night before Halloween 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was found bludgeoned to death outside her family’s home in the tony Greenwich, Connecticut, enclave of Belle Haven. The local police, used to dealing more with traffic stops than a high-profile murder, grappled with a lack of forensic evidence – or a motive. They had their suspects of course. The creepy neighbor. The eldest teenage son of the Skakel family next door. The Skakel children’s burly tutor. But without concrete evidence or a confession, the case stalled out. For decades, it remained unsolved and it seemed like no one would ever be charged with her killing. But then, a series of improbable events involving, among others, Dominick Dunne, William Kennedy Smith, and Mark Fuhrman, compounded to deliver the public a new suspect – 39-year-old Michael Skakel, who’d been 15, like Martha, at the time of the crime. The arrest made national headlines – and not just because Michael Skakel was an accused killer. He was also a cousin of the Kennedys. Skakel’s 2002 high-profile murder trial was a media feeding frenzy. Reporters wondered – would this rich, privileged son of a scion get away with it? Despite flimsy evidence and witnesses with questionable backgrounds, a jury convicted Michael. For many, it felt like a fitting end to the Moxley case. Finally, justice was served. Sentenced to 20 years to life in prison, Michael Skakel, who’d always proclaimed his innocence, fought for his freedom. In 2018, his conviction was overturned – and prosecutors declined to re-prosecute. Innocent in the eyes of the law, Michael remains guilty in the eyes of many. Where does the truth lie? Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder, is an immersive, fresh take on this infamous case. The series is hosted by veteran journalist Andrew Goldman, hired a decade ago by Skakel’s cousin RFK Jr. to research a book about the case. But after the book was published, Goldman found he couldn’t let it go. New episodes every Tuesday through January 20, 2026.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder podcast

Mischief Night

2025/11/04

On Halloween 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley is found bludgeoned to death just steps from her home in the ritzy Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. The weapon of choice? A golf club. In the wake of the brutal murder, Greenwich police, more used to handing out traffic citations than conducting homicide investigations, find themselves in over their heads. 27 years after Martha's death, the case makes headlines again when Michael Skakel, neighbor to the Moxleys and relative of the Kennedy family, is convicted of Martha's murder, a crime he says he didn’t commit. After serving over 11 years in prison, Michael Skakel's conviction is overturned. Which raises the question of the series - if he didn't kill Martha Moxley, who did? Veteran journalist Andrew Goldman has spent the last decade reinvestigating the improbable series of events that led to Michael Skakel's murder conviction for murder and exploring alternate suspects. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Martha's murder, this 12-episode series features original interviews, newly unsealed evidence, and an exclusive interview with Michael Skakel, who’s never before spoken publicly about the case. Episode 2 drops on Tuesday, November 11. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boy Next Door

2025/11/11

As the investigation into Martha Moxley’s murder picks up steam, Greenwich investigators round up friends, family, and neighborhood oddballs for questioning. Based on those interviews, police piece together a timeline of her final hours. Attention quickly turns to Belle Haven teen Tommy Skakel, Martha's neighbor and the last known person to see her on Mischief Night. Under intense police questioning and hooked up to a polygraph machine, Tommy remains calm and collected - but there are pieces of his story that aren’t adding up. Episode 3 drops on Tuesday, November 18. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Night Visitor

2025/11/18

Spring and summer of 1976 pass without an arrest in the Moxley case. With the one-year anniversary of Martha’s murder rapidly approaching, law enforcement turns its focus to former Skakel tutor Ken Littleton. The formerly clean-cut Littleton’s life is in turmoil, following a debauched summer on Nantucket and a subsequent arrest. Back in Greenwich, Ken is fired from his job and finds himself at the epicenter of the Moxley investigation. Episode 4 drops on Tuesday, November 25. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

No Good Deed

2025/11/25

As the police continue to pursue Ken Littleton, Skakel family lawyer Tom Sheridan hires private investigators to take a fresh look at the Moxley case, in hopes of clearing the Skakel name once and for all. Intended to be confidential, the report prepared by Sutton Associates soon finds its way into the papers - and the hands of celebrity crime journalist Dominick Dunne. Its bombshell contents turn the spotlight back towards the Skakel family – and for the first time, Michael finds himself under suspicion. Episode 5 drops on Tuesday, December 2. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Speaks

2025/12/02

Disgraced LAPD detective-turned-author Mark Fuhrman publishes a book calling for Michael Skakel’s arrest for the murder of Martha Moxley. The State of Connecticut opens a grand jury investigation into the case. In the present day, Michael publicly speaks for the first time about his painful childhood and traumatic years at the controversial Elan School. Episode 6 drops on Tuesday, December 9. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Trial

2025/12/09

Amidst a media blitz, the trial of Michael Skakel for Martha Moxley’s murder begins. The State’s case rests mainly on the testimony of three confession witnesses and circumstantial evidence. But with no forensic proof, the prosecution faces an uphill battle. As the jury heads into deliberations, States Attorney Jonathan Benedict’s dramatic closing may be the deciding factor in whether Michael Skakel walks free or goes to prison. Episode 7 drops on Tuesday, December 16. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

About Those Confessions...

2025/12/16

Michael Skakel’s trial verdict is returned. The witnesses called by the State were a pivotal part of the otherwise largely circumstantial case against Michael. But a careful examination of their testimony and motivations raises questions. Michael speaks about the alleged confessions and shares more revealing anecdotes about his upbringing, the Elan School, and the Moxley case. Episode 8 drops on Tuesday, December 23. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Joker

2025/12/23

Hired by Michael Skakel to defend him against murder charges, defense attorney Mickey Sherman is a smooth talker with a love of the media spotlight. But after Michael is found guilty, a post-mortem of the defense strategy reveals that Sherman may have made some serious missteps. Will the appellate court agree? Members of Michael's original defense team weigh in with their thoughts on the case. Episode 9 drops on Tuesday, December 30. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Family Ties

2025/12/30

After decades of estrangement, Michael Skakel reconnects with some of his Kennedy cousins, rebuilding ties and working for the family. But when a scandal erupts, Skakel finds himself caught in the crossfire and the fallout is swift. His attempt at self-protection - a tell-all memoir - would later become ammunition at the trial - complicating an already fraught chapter of his story. Episode 10 drops on Tuesday, January 6. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Out of Towners

2026/01/06

After decades of silence, an unexpected figure steps forward from the shadows, bringing with him a totally new theory of the crime – and pointing the finger at two possible suspects. Michael Skakel's cousin, Bobby Kennedy Jr., believes this could be the key to solving Martha Moxley’s killing. But upon deeper examination, cracks appear. Is this a breakthrough, a misdirection, or something else entirely? Episode 11 drops on Tuesday, January 13. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Martha Speaks

2026/01/13

Martha’s diary sheds light on her complicated relationships with the boys in her orbit. Could hints about her killer’s identity be hidden amidst its pages? Were investigators too quick to dismiss her boyfriend as a potential suspect? A stunning admission from Tommy Skakel during his Sutton interviews is revealed. Our final episode drops on Tuesday, January 20th. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Known Unknowns

2026/01/20

In the series finale, the story of the mysterious blood found outside the crime scene is at long last revealed. An additional Sutton report enters the picture, focused on someone unexpected. Long overlooked, another member of the Skakel household staff comes under scrutiny. Amanda Knox weighs in on her experience of being wrongfully convicted of murder. Andrew shares final revelations and reflections about the case. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Introducing Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder

2025/10/27

The night before Halloween 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley is bludgeoned to death just steps from her home in the ritzy Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. The murder weapon? A golf club. In the wake of the brutal killing, Greenwich police find themselves out of their depths. Over the next 25 years, an improbable series of events unfolds, leading to the arrest and conviction of Michael Skakel, who was 15 years old at the time of the murder. A former neighbor to the Moxleys, he is also a relative of the Kennedy family, which leads to widespread media coverage of the case. But Michael’s conviction is eventually overturned, which raises the question posed by the series: if he didn’t kill Martha Moxley, who did? Unfolding over 12 episodes, this podcast will explore, in intimate detail, the twists and turns of this fascinating and confounding case as it hits its milestone 50th anniversary. Hosted by journalist Andrew Goldman and produced by NBC News Studios, the series is built upon a decade of original reporting, brand new investigative information, firsthand voices, and a half century of archival audio– as well as multiple interviews with Michael Skakel, who is speaking publicly about the case for the first time ever. New episodes every Tuesday, through January 20, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Boston1135 2026/02/03

Interesting

Great podcast about how headlines can convince you of someone’s guilt when there is way more to the story. It could have been more organized as it jum...

NicIsOnIt 2026/02/04

Michael did it.

After listening to the podcast, I think the only reasonable explanation is that Michael did it.

absentmindedjedi 2026/02/04

interesting true crime, bad podcast

the host is annoying and difficult to bear. he clearly has a bias and agenda. one of the skakel brothers did it, who knows which one. i’d like to hear...

BathSoaker 2026/02/03

Best true crime podcast ever

This podcast is incredible. Truly a life’s work. The narrator/writer does a really great job of unpacking it all and presenting it in a clear and unbi...

Donnyblub 2026/02/03

Fantastic

Best series I’ve listened to in years. So well done.

SMSpgh 2026/02/02

Great podcast

I really enjoyed the podcast and knew about the story but was not familiar with the updates. Bingeworthy

AliceDallas29 2026/02/02

Very good

Binged this . So compelling.

AmyGChicago 2026/02/01

Fascinating

What a thorough podcast. I almost want to listen to it twice because there were so many twists and turns. May Martha rest in peace.

Groveorange 2026/01/31

Most extensive Martha Moxley Coverage

So much new and in depth reporting about Martha Moxley’s tragic murder. I’ve read all the books and there is so much here I didn’t know. So thoughtf...

MGOUFFRAY 2026/01/30

Dead Certain was fascinating

Andrew, Just wanted you to know a little fan down in SC loved your podcast and sorry it has ended … for now :) My heart goes out to all who suffered ...

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