A new documentary series now streaming on HBO Max is bringing international attention to a largely forgotten American true crime case with deep connections to the opioid and methamphetamine crisis that continues to ravage communities across the United States.

'Murder in Glitterball City,' which premiered on February 19, 2026, is a two-part investigation into the 2010 murder of James Carroll—known as Jamie—in Louisville, Kentucky. The series examines not only the crime itself but also the broader social context: the role of crystal methamphetamine in the city's LGBTQ+ community and how addiction fueled a climate of violence.

The killing took place at 1435 South Fourth Street in Louisville, involving property owner Jeffrey Mundt and his partner Joseph Banis (Joey). While specific details about motive and circumstances remain limited in available English-language reporting, the documentary draws from David Dominé's 2021 non-fiction book 'A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City,' suggesting a comprehensive narrative approach to the case.

The production brings together notable creative talent. World of Wonder—the production company behind the hugely successful 'RuPaul's Drag Race' franchise—developed the series. It was directed and produced by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the studio's founders, with Mona Card as producer. Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez serve as executive producers, lending the project the polish and resources of one of North America's leading documentary production companies.

The two episodes aired back-to-back on HBO Max, with Part 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and Part 2 at 8:20 p.m. ET/PT. The series carries a TV-MA rating, reflecting its mature content and unflinching examination of drug use, violence, and death.

For international audiences, the case offers a window into an American public health crisis that transcends borders. Methamphetamine addiction has become endemic in LGBTQ+ communities across North America, intersecting with homelessness, sex work, and violence in ways that parallel drug epidemics documented in Scandinavia, the UK, and other regions. Louisville's experience—reflected in this documentary—provides a cautionary case study about how social marginalization, limited access to addiction treatment, and economic despair create conditions for tragedy.

The documentary has already garnered critical attention, earning a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally favorable reviews from critics. The production also features Lexi Love, a finalist from Season 17 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' adding visibility to the project within both documentary and LGBTQ+ entertainment circles.

World of Wonder's involvement signals how true crime documentary has evolved in the streaming era. Rather than sensationalizing the crime, the production appears designed to contextualize it—examining systemic failures, community vulnerability, and the untold stories within America's ongoing drug crisis. This approach reflects a broader international trend in documentary filmmaking toward examining how class, identity, and public health intersect in cases of crime and tragedy.

For viewers outside the United States, 'Murder in Glitterball City' serves as both a specific case study and a broader commentary on how marginalized communities experience violence differently. The series' focus on crystal meth's particular devastation within LGBTQ+ spaces acknowledges a public health reality that remains underdiscussed in mainstream crime coverage: addiction and violence do not affect all communities equally, and understanding why requires looking beyond the crime itself to the conditions that enable it.

The documentary is now available on HBO Max and may provide English-language audiences—particularly international viewers—with rare insight into a case that had received limited media coverage outside the United States.