Homicide Hunter: How One Detective Solved 387 American Murder Cases
From Colorado Springs to primetime: the true crime series that brought real detective work into living rooms worldwide
In 2011, Investigation Discovery launched *Homicide Hunter*, a crime documentary series that would run for nine seasons and 144 episodes through 2020. The show centers on Lt. Joe Kenda, a retired detective from the Colorado Springs Police Department, who recounts his most memorable cases through a combination of interviews and dramatic reenactments.
Kenda joined the Colorado Springs Police Department in 1973 and was promoted to detective four years later. Initially assigned to the burglary division, he transferred to homicide after successfully solving a double shooting—a case featured in the series' fourth season finale as "My First Case." Over his 23-year career before retiring in 1996 as commander of the major crimes unit, Kenda solved 387 homicide cases, making him one of the most successful detectives in modern American law enforcement.
**The Original Series Formula**
The original *Homicide Hunter* format proved remarkably effective at drawing audiences into real investigative work. Each episode focuses on a particular case from Kenda's career, with the detective providing narration and insight as actors recreate crime scenes, interviews, and the investigative process. This approach—blending documentary authenticity with dramatic storytelling—resonated with viewers internationally, establishing the series as a staple of true crime programming.
**Notable Cases**
Among the cases featured was the Sophia Gerardo investigation, which appeared in Season 1, Episode 8 ("A Beautiful Shade of Death," November 27, 2012). The discovery of Gerardo's body along with four children and a cat initially suggested a ritualistic mass murder. However, Kenda's investigation revealed the true cause to be far different—and, as the episode suggests, "more frightening and deadly" than ritualistic murder might imply.
