"Didn't want to focus only on true crime" — Unsolved Mysteries co-creator reveals how they incorporate "theories" on the show

Unsolved Mysteries, the crime series, is set to release volume 4 on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Like with the previous seasons, this season too will have four unsolved cases that will captivate true crime documentary fans. The show dives deep into unexplained deaths, disappearances, and paranormal activity, in addition to considering the supernatural aspect.

The show looks into murder cases as experts, psychologists, detectives, and police look into the murder and try to figure out the perpetrator's mindset. While many viewers consider it to be a true crime documentary series, the show's creators believe that the involvement of mysterious creatures is also a possibility. To solve these unsolvable cases, the experts are not crossing out any reason, as there have been events that have no logical explanation for them.

Terry Dunn Meurer, the co-creator and CEO of Cosgrove Meurer Productions, spoke to Tudum by Netflix on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. He opened up about how they keep all theories in mind while producing this show. Terry mentioned that to enhance the viewer's experience and make them feel as if they were a part of the murder investigations, the creators considered all theories.

"We made a conscious choice that we didn’t want to focus only on true crime. There are so many different types of intriguing mysteries. I think it’s the variety of cases that sets Unsolved Mysteries apart from the true crime genre," Meurer said.

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How is Unsolved Mysteries different from other crime shows?

Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries "explores multiple aspects" of what is known to the human mind. This is why the show explores supernatural events and doesn't shy away from discussing it. Terry revealed that all four episodes of Volume 4 plan on answering the two questions of whether it was an accident or if it was an intentional murder.

These will help viewers form their own opinions surrounding the murders and missing cases. The room for the audience to depict what exactly happened is left slightly open. Terry explained that the purpose of this show is to also take help from the viewers, including what their opinions on the situation are. Additionally, Unsolved Mysteries fans can submit their story ideas as well as cases they're interested in.

"We try to present cases that have lots of twists and turns to involve the viewers in forming their own opinions," Meurer said.

Terry also mentioned that he and his entire team go through the recommendations made by the audience. They look into each case while being respectful to the victim's family and making an effort to provide them with some closure. The purpose of this show is not to take away from the docu-series format and real-life scenarios or to turn it into a fictional show, but to look into what is unknown to humans.

Meurer added that they have a team that responds to "all viable tips that are submitted.

"It’s important to get tips to law enforcement ASAP. Often, viewers submit story ideas or their theory about what might have happened in a particular case, and those are also read thoroughly and archived in our database," he noted.

The four-part series dives into the murders committed by 1888 murders by Jack the Ripper in London, a body found in the basement, and an investigation linked to the " black-market organ trade." It also includes an investigation of a "humanoid creature" found in the woods.

Fans can stream Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 exclusively on Netflix.