ABC News along with ABC Audio is preparing to launch two gripping investigative podcast series that promise to captivate listeners this spring.
Working alongside the award-winning news magazine program 20/20, the network is introducing two limited-run true crime podcasts that delve into deeply complex murder investigations that shocked communities and puzzled investigators for years.
The projects — Bridge of Lies and Blood and Water — will examine separate cases but share a common goal: uncovering the truth behind deaths that initially appeared unsolvable.
Both podcasts will feature exclusive police recordings, firsthand interviews, and detailed investigative storytelling, offering listeners unprecedented access to the cases.
Industry observers say the move reflects a broader strategy by news organizations to expand investigative journalism into immersive audio storytelling, a format that continues to grow rapidly across streaming platforms.
Podcasting has evolved into one of the fastest-growing formats for long-form storytelling, particularly in the true crime genre. According to media analysts, audiences increasingly seek deep, narrative-driven investigations rather than short-form news updates.
With this new initiative, ABC News is building on the credibility and investigative reputation of its flagship programs by translating their journalism into serialized audio.
Key highlights of the new podcast initiative include:
Media experts believe the projects could strengthen the network’s footprint in the competitive true crime podcast market, where serialized investigative narratives often attract millions of listeners worldwide.
The first of the two podcast releases, Bridge of Lies, is scheduled to premiere on March 10. Hosted by Juju Chang, the series dives deep into the haunting disappearance and murder of Sarah Stern, a 19-year-old woman whose case shocked the community of Belmar.
In December 2016, Sarah Stern vanished suddenly, leaving behind a puzzle that initially seemed to point toward suicide.
Authorities discovered her car abandoned near a bridge overlooking the Shark River, a location that soon became the center of an intense search effort.
At first glance, investigators believed Sarah may have jumped from the bridge. The circumstances appeared to support that theory:
However, as investigators examined the case more closely, inconsistencies began to emerge.
What began as a presumed suicide soon evolved into a far more disturbing possibility — homicide.
Detectives reviewing the case discovered new evidence suggesting someone close to Sarah might have been involved.
The podcast will explore how investigators gradually pieced together the truth through:
Eventually, authorities uncovered a critical breakthrough — a police sting operation that captured conversations revealing the truth behind Sarah’s death.
This turning point transformed the investigation and led to the identification of the person responsible.
Listeners of Bridge of Lies will hear material rarely accessible to the public, including:
These recordings offer a chilling glimpse into the investigative process and the psychological dynamics that helped detectives solve the case.
According to producers, the podcast aims to reconstruct the investigation step by step, giving listeners a front-row seat to the unfolding mystery.
For Juju Chang, the project represents a significant professional milestone.
After more than a decade reporting for Nightline, the journalist is stepping into the role of podcast host for the first time.
Chang is widely known for her in-depth reporting and empathetic storytelling style, qualities producers believe will resonate strongly in the podcast format.
In the series, she guides listeners through:
The storytelling approach blends investigative journalism with emotional narrative, creating a compelling experience for listeners.
Following the launch of Bridge of Lies, ABC Audio will release its second series — Blood and Water — on April 21.
The podcast is hosted by Stephanie Ramos, who investigates the chilling murder of Leslie Preer, a case that remained unresolved for more than two decades.
In 2001, Leslie Preer was found murdered inside her home in the suburbs of Washington, D.C..
The crime scene was disturbing: she had been killed while showering in her own house.
The shocking circumstances immediately triggered a major investigation, and authorities began searching for possible suspects.
Initially, investigators focused on someone very close to the victim.
At the start of the investigation, detectives considered Leslie’s husband the primary suspect.
This is common in many homicide cases, where investigators often examine family members or partners as part of standard investigative procedures.
However, despite the intense scrutiny, authorities were unable to produce definitive evidence linking him to the crime.
For years, the case remained unresolved.
The investigation took a dramatic turn when forensic scientists discovered DNA belonging to an unidentified male at the crime scene.
This discovery forced detectives to rethink the entire case.
Instead of confirming earlier suspicions, the evidence suggested that someone else may have been present during the crime.
Advances in forensic science later allowed investigators to revisit the case and analyze the evidence using more sophisticated techniques.
The results ultimately led to a major breakthrough in identifying the killer.
One of the central themes explored in Blood and Water is the emotional impact of the case on Leslie’s family — particularly her daughter.
For more than two decades, the family lived with uncertainty while waiting for answers.
The podcast explores:
Through interviews with friends, family members, and detectives, the series paints a deeply human portrait of a family searching for closure.
Both podcasts aim to deliver authentic investigative storytelling by incorporating primary source material rarely heard outside police investigations.
The production teams have accessed:
This approach reflects a growing trend in podcast journalism, where real audio evidence helps immerse listeners in the investigative process.
By blending narrative storytelling with original documentation, the podcasts aim to provide an experience that is both informative and emotionally compelling.
The launch of these series comes amid an ongoing boom in true crime media.
Over the past decade, podcasts have transformed the genre, allowing audiences to follow investigations in serialized formats that unfold across multiple episodes.
Several factors explain the genre’s popularity:
In many cases, podcasts have even contributed to renewed attention on unresolved cases, sometimes leading to new evidence or renewed investigations.
For news organizations like ABC, the format offers a way to extend traditional reporting into long-form narrative journalism.
The launch of Bridge of Lies and Blood and Water also highlights ABC News’ broader strategy to expand its digital audio portfolio.
Over the past few years, major news organizations have increasingly invested in podcasts to reach audiences who prefer on-demand audio.
Podcast listeners often:
By pairing experienced correspondents with compelling true crime stories, ABC hopes to attract both news audiences and dedicated podcast listeners.
Both series will be available on major podcast platforms, ensuring wide accessibility for listeners worldwide.
Streaming platforms include:
Listeners can subscribe through their preferred platform to receive new episodes as they are released.
For audiences eager to dive into the investigations, the release schedule is as follows:
Bridge of Lies
Blood and Water
Both series are expected to run as limited investigative podcasts, meaning each case will be explored across a finite number of episodes.
Producers say the podcasts will focus not only on solving crimes but also on exploring the human stories behind them.
Listeners can expect:
The aim is to provide listeners with a deep understanding of how modern criminal investigations unfold.
The launch of these two podcasts represents another step in the transformation of journalism in the digital era.
Traditional news reporting is increasingly complemented by long-form storytelling formats that allow journalists to explore complex cases in greater depth.
For listeners fascinated by real-life mysteries, the upcoming podcasts from ABC Audio and 20/20 promise to deliver powerful storytelling, emotional depth, and investigative insight.
As true crime continues to dominate podcast charts globally, these new series could quickly become must-listen programs for fans of investigative journalism.
