Alaina Urquhart's journey from the autopsy suite to international podcasting stardom reveals how specialized expertise can reshape an entire genre. As an autopsy technician with years of hands-on experience in forensic pathology, Urquhart brought credibility and unflinching detail to true crime storytelling—a combination that proved irresistible to audiences.

In May 2018, Urquhart launched Morbid: A True Crime Podcast alongside her niece Ashleigh "Ash" Kelley, a former hairstylist. The aunt-niece duo, who refer to each other as "sisters," created an unexpectedly potent formula. While Kelley brought conversational warmth and narrative skill, Urquhart supplied forensic knowledge grounded in real experience. Their show—categorized as a true crime anthology covering everything from unsolved deaths to spooky historical events—quickly found its audience.

The numbers reflect Morbid's extraordinary reach. By 2022, the podcast ranked #10 among America's most popular shows, according to Amazon Music. Major publications including Vogue, Bleeding Cool, and The Post have featured it on their best-of lists. This success opened doors: Urquhart and Kelley expanded into *Crime Countdown*, a partnership with Parcast that ran from November 2021 to June 2022.

Urquhart's influence extended further in 2022 when she launched the Morbid Network under Wondery, producing five additional podcasts spanning different angles on crime and the macabre: *Cult Liter with Spencer Henry*, *That's Spooky*, *Seven Deadly Sinners*, *Scream!*, and *The Strange and Unusual Podcast*. This network expansion signaled Urquhart's emergence as more than a co-host—she became a creator and producer shaping the true crime podcast landscape.

That same year, Urquhart ventured into fiction. Her debut novel, *The Butcher and the Wren*, published through independent publisher Zando in September 2022, achieved bestseller status on the New York Times list. The novel represents a natural extension of her podcast work, allowing her to channel her forensic knowledge and fascination with criminal psychology into original storytelling.

What distinguishes Urquhart's work is her ethical grounding. In interviews, she emphasizes that her autopsy experience provides profound perspective on life's fragility. Rather than sensationalizing death, she approaches both her forensic and podcasting roles with respect for the deceased. This dignity-centered approach stands apart in an industry sometimes criticized for exploitative coverage.

Morbid's guest roster further demonstrates the podcast's reach and credibility. Patricia Cornwell, the bestselling forensic thriller author and crime consultant, appeared to discuss her Scarpetta series, forensic science, and memoir. The show has also featured music artists like Andrew McMahon, who explored topics ranging from his career to the historical phenomenon of dancing plagues. High-profile criminal cases have also drawn attention—episodes covering Rodney Alcala, convicted of eight murders and suspected in over 100 others, exemplify the show's willingness to engage with America's darkest criminology.

Urquhart's trajectory from autopsy technician to #1 NYT bestselling author and podcast network founder illustrates how authentic expertise and consistent quality can transcend industry boundaries. She transformed her day job—observing the human body at its most vulnerable—into a platform that educates, disturbs, and fascinates millions. In doing so, she's redefined what true crime content can be: forensically accurate, narratively gripping, and ethically grounded.

**Sources:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morbid:_A_True_Crime_Podcast https://crimereads.com/morbid-podcast-alaina-urquhart-true-crime-fiction-cover-reveal/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morbid/id1379959217 https://open.spotify.com/show/1cpyLfDHP1cNnyOb478qrt https://www.podchaser.com/creators/alaina-urquhart-107aRveN5n