To Live and Die in LA is a true crime podcast that first debuted as an investigation of journalist Neil Strauss along with private investigator Jayden Brant. Strauss is a magazine reporter and has never embarked into crime journalism. But his narration of the story was enthralling and well-detailed. He looked into actress Adea Shabani, an aspiring actress who went missing in Los Angeles. 
They say her boyfriend, Chris Spotz, is the prime suspect. In a dire situation where a loved one suddenly went missing without a trace. The first thing you will most likely do is report it to the police. You will trust that all will be done to ensure your loved one will come home safe and sound. However, the Los Angeles FAQ for filing a report for a missing person says that they can only provide minimal intrusion due to the right to be left alone. If they never return, getting a private investigator is encouraged.
This is how the true crime podcast, ‘ To Live and Die in LA’ started its introduction. Along with his team, Strauss thoroughly investigated Shabani’s disappearance in the podcast’s first season. He has given an impressive feat considering that he is not a crime journalist nor investigator in the first place. An in-depth deep dive into the case lasted for 12 episodes and a year of investigation. It was still ongoing at the time that it was launched, so the chase and hunt were both devastating and filled with suspense.
In the second season, they ventured into another disappearance. It was about a college student and aspiring actress and musician, Elaine Park. After going missing, her car was found five days near Strauss’s home in California. Strauss and his wife and neighbors formed a team to investigate the case.
What Is Great About ‘To Live And Die In LA’?
Investigating while the case is still ongoing seems to be a genre that was popularized by the podcast, ‘Serial.’ What sets the podcast ‘To live and die in LA’ with others is how in-depth the investigation of the podcast had been in the real-time case that had been unfolding in their eyes. At the same time, even if the case was still unsolved and very much not a cold case, Strauss was able to capture the important details and deal with them with empathy and sensitivity. In the podcast’s first episode, he talked about Shabani’s life and how she is as a person.
Then, the story progressed with twists you would not expect. The raw emotions portrayed on the podcast will take your breath away. The story was filled with turns that will not fail to surprise you. Although, with podcasts with ongoing cases, there is not much of an expectation for a definite answer, but this case had one. As much as it was unfortunate, listening while the investigation happened and finally having an answer to some questions left closure to the listeners and, most especially, to Shabani’s family.
What Improvements Needed?
A problem with tackling an ongoing case would be the execution of the podcast’s episodes since you will not be able to predict how it will go. The podcast handled it well in their professional ways. However, there are parts that are somewhat used as fillers for the episodes, such as press conferences and interviews, which may seem unnecessary or should be narrated instead. A big issue raised by people who have heard the podcast is how the podcast has been sensationalized and exploitative.
Some believe that parts of the podcast should not have been part of it to pay respects to the involved people in the case. As much as some people may enjoy the raw emotions that an ongoing case provides. Some may think it is too much. They believe this is unnecessary especially during a traumatic event such as a crime. In my opinion, the podcast has given its respect to the people involved, especially the victim.
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Final Verdict
Is it the best true crime podcast for me? Maybe one of the top five so far. The podcast is one of the best out there, and this captured my heart with the roller coaster emotions you would feel while listening to a real-time case. If you are seeking extraordinary true crime podcasts out there. You would be engaged in listening to, I suggest you check out the ‘To live and die in LA’ podcast.
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