What happens when a decades-old murder case, a pair of determined citizen sleuths, and a veteran journalist collide? HBO’s new three-part documentary series A Killer Story digs into that question—and into a case where the truth proves anything but simple.
Directed by Matthew Galkin and executive produced by Joshua Levine, Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan, and Jon Bardin, the series follows investigative journalist Joe Sexton as he takes a deep dive into the controversial 2002 double murder case involving Dana Chandler, who was accused of killing her ex-husband and his girlfriend.
Sexton’s investigation begins after he receives thousands of emails from Eileen Umbehr, a homemaker-turned-citizen-sleuth who, along with her husband Keen, is convinced Chandler is innocent. Their determination eventually draws Sexton into a legal and personal maze spanning more than two decades and three trials.
But A Killer Story is more than a murder mystery. With competing narratives, family conflict, allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and the powerful pull of confirmation bias, the series asks how easily the search for justice can become an obsession—and whether a verdict can ever guarantee the truth.
The journey unfolds across three chapters:
- September 10 — “Welcome to Topeka”: Chandler’s conviction is overturned, while the Umbehrs push their case for her innocence.
- September 17 — “Person of Interest”: A suspected alternative culprit enters the spotlight, but a surprise witness changes the prosecution’s position.
- September 24 — “A Dangerous Notion”: After a hung jury, Chandler makes the extraordinary decision to represent herself at her third trial.
Filmed over six years, A Killer Story promises a compelling look at one of those cases that refuses to fit neatly into a headline.
A Killer Story premieres Thursday, September 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will stream on HBO Max, with new episodes airing Thursdays at the same time.
