Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder
The night before Halloween 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was found bludgeoned to death outside her family’s home in the tony Greenwich, Connecticut, enclave of Belle Haven. The local police, used to dealing more with traffic stops than a high-profile murder, grappled with a lack of forensic evidence – or a motive. They had their suspects of course. The creepy neighbor. The eldest teenage son of the Skakel family next door. The Skakel children’s burly tutor. But without concrete evidence or a confession, the case stalled out. For decades, it remained unsolved and it seemed like no one would ever be charged with her killing. But then, a series of improbable events involving, among others, Dominick Dunne, William Kennedy Smith, and Mark Fuhrman, compounded to deliver the public a new suspect – 39-year-old Michael Skakel, who’d been 15, like Martha, at the time of the crime. The arrest made national headlines – and not just because Michael Skakel was an accused killer. He was also a cousin of the Kennedys. Skakel’s 2002 high-profile murder trial was a media feeding frenzy. Reporters wondered – would this rich, privileged son of a scion get away with it? Despite flimsy evidence and witnesses with questionable backgrounds, a jury convicted Michael. For many, it felt like a fitting end to the Moxley case. Finally, justice was served. Sentenced to 20 years to life in prison, Michael Skakel, who’d always proclaimed his innocence, fought for his freedom. In 2018, his conviction was overturned – and prosecutors declined to re-prosecute. Innocent in the eyes of the law, Michael remains guilty in the eyes of many. Where does the truth lie? Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder, is an immersive, fresh take on this infamous case. The series is hosted by veteran journalist Andrew Goldman, hired a decade ago by Skakel’s cousin RFK Jr. to research a book about the case. But after the book was published, Goldman found he couldn’t let it go. New episodes every Tuesday through January 20, 2026.
Episodes
The night before Halloween 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley is bludgeoned to death just steps from her home in the ritzy Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. The murder weapon? A golf club. In the wake of the brutal killing, Greenwich police find themselves out of their depths. Over the next 25 years, an improbable series of events unfolds, leading to the arrest and conviction of Michael Skakel, who was 15 years old a...
On Halloween 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley is found bludgeoned to death just steps from her home in the ritzy Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. The weapon of choice? A golf club. In the wake of the brutal murder, Greenwich police, more used to handing out traffic citations than conducting homicide investigations, find themselves in over their heads. 27 years after Martha's death, the case makes headlines again w...
As the investigation into Martha Moxley’s murder picks up steam, Greenwich investigators round up friends, family, and neighborhood oddballs for questioning. Based on those interviews, police piece together a timeline of her final hours. Attention quickly turns to Belle Haven teen Tommy Skakel, Martha's neighbor and the last known person to see her on Mischief Night. Under intense police questioning and hooked up to a polygraph mac...
Spring and summer of 1976 pass without an arrest in the Moxley case. With the one-year anniversary of Martha’s murder rapidly approaching, law enforcement turns its focus to former Skakel tutor Ken Littleton. The formerly clean-cut Littleton’s life is in turmoil, following a debauched summer on Nantucket and a subsequent arrest. Back in Greenwich, Ken is fired from his job and finds himself at the epicenter of the Moxley investigat...
As the police continue to pursue Ken Littleton, Skakel family lawyer Tom Sheridan hires private investigators to take a fresh look at the Moxley case, in hopes of clearing the Skakel name once and for all. Intended to be confidential, the report prepared by Sutton Associates soon finds its way into the papers - and the hands of celebrity crime journalist Dominick Dunne. Its bombshell contents turn the spotlight back towards the Ska...
Disgraced LAPD detective-turned-author Mark Fuhrman publishes a book calling for Michael Skakel’s arrest for the murder of Martha Moxley. The State of Connecticut opens a grand jury investigation into the case. In the present day, Michael publicly speaks for the first time about his painful childhood and traumatic years at the controversial Elan School.
Episode 6 drops on Tuesday, December 9. New episodes every Tuesday, through Janu...
Amidst a media blitz, the trial of Michael Skakel for Martha Moxley’s murder begins. The State’s case rests mainly on the testimony of three confession witnesses and circumstantial evidence. But with no forensic proof, the prosecution faces an uphill battle. As the jury heads into deliberations, States Attorney Jonathan Benedict’s dramatic closing may be the deciding factor in whether Michael Skakel walks free or goes to prison.
Epi...
Michael Skakel’s trial verdict is returned. The witnesses called by the State were a pivotal part of the otherwise largely circumstantial case against Michael. But a careful examination of their testimony and motivations raises questions. Michael speaks about the alleged confessions and shares more revealing anecdotes about his upbringing, the Elan School, and the Moxley case.
Episode 8 drops on Tuesday, December 23. New episodes ev...
Hired by Michael Skakel to defend him against murder charges, defense attorney Mickey Sherman is a smooth talker with a love of the media spotlight. But after Michael is found guilty, a post-mortem of the defense strategy reveals that Sherman may have made some serious missteps. Will the appellate court agree? Members of Michael's original defense team weigh in with their thoughts on the case.
Episode 9 drops on Tuesday, December 30...
After decades of estrangement, Michael Skakel reconnects with some of his Kennedy cousins, rebuilding ties and working for the family. But when a scandal erupts, Skakel finds himself caught in the crossfire and the fallout is swift. His attempt at self-protection - a tell-all memoir - would later become ammunition at the trial - complicating an already fraught chapter of his story.
Episode 10 drops on Tuesday, January 6. New episode...
After decades of silence, an unexpected figure steps forward from the shadows, bringing with him a totally new theory of the crime – and pointing the finger at two possible suspects. Michael Skakel's cousin, Bobby Kennedy Jr., believes this could be the key to solving Martha Moxley’s killing. But upon deeper examination, cracks appear. Is this a breakthrough, a misdirection, or something else entirely?
Episode 11 drops on Tuesday, J...
Martha’s diary sheds light on her complicated relationships with the boys in her orbit. Could hints about her killer’s identity be hidden amidst its pages? Were investigators too quick to dismiss her boyfriend as a potential suspect? A stunning admission from Tommy Skakel during his Sutton interviews is revealed.
Our final episode drops on Tuesday, January 20th.
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In the series finale, the story of the mysterious blood found outside the crime scene is at long last revealed. An additional Sutton report enters the picture, focused on someone unexpected. Long overlooked, another member of the Skakel household staff comes under scrutiny. Amanda Knox weighs in on her experience of being wrongfully convicted of murder. Andrew shares final revelations and reflections about the case.
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