A two-part docuseries, Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter, is a true-crime show that follows the tireless fight of Cathy Terkanian's search for her missing daughter, Aundria, who she gave up for adoption. Led to believe that adoption would give a good life to her daughter, Cathy is distraught when, in 2010, she is asked to give a DNA test to see if an unidentified dead body belongs to her biological daughter.
When the results come back negative, she launches a full-fledged search and learns that her daughter has been missing since 1989. As she digs more about her daughter’s changed name and her adoptive parents, the mother devotes ten years to solving her daughter’s disappearance.
Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter is a somber watch and reflects the tenacity of a mother for her children. Viewers who like to watch true crime documentaries can check the list below, which features other gritty docuseries where people have been deceived by their loved ones.
The Keepers, The Staircase, and seven other docuseries to watch if you liked Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter
1) American Murder: Laci Peterson - Netflix
A three-part docuseries, American Murder: Laci Peterson, follows the disappearance of Peterson while eight months pregnant, which sparked an outrage and ended in her murder. The show begins on Christmas Eve 2002 when Peterson’s husband Scott reports his wife’s disappearance in a manner that raises eyebrows.
The docuseries includes elements such as Scott’s alleged girlfriend’s testament, media coverage, and a suspenseful trial. It is a thrilling and emotional watch, like Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.
2) Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography – Amazon Prime Video
A hard-hitting docuseries, Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography, is a three-part series where Smart sits down to recount the horror she faced in 2002. Abducted by a self-proclaimed religious guru and his wife, the brave woman suffered years of abuse in a secluded area.
Now a dedicated child safety activist and a new commentator, Elizabeth tells the details of her harrowing incident in a telling docuseries like Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter. The show features Smart’s family, law officials on the case, and eyewitnesses. Smart also recounts her journey to healing to empower others.
3) The Keepers - Netflix
The Keepers is an investigative docuseries that delves into the unsolved murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik. An English and drama teacher at an all-girls school in Baltimore, the nun went missing in 1969, and her body was only found in 1970.
The series begins with two former students investigating their teacher’s cold case. The show interviews former students who believe that Sister Catherine suspected a Priest at the school of committing abuse against students. Like Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter, the grim show leaves a definite mark.
4) Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey - Netflix
A four-part docuseries, Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, follows the cultish fame of Warren Jeffs, a self-proclaimed religious leader who founded the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Manipulating young girls into a polygamous relationship, the series features interviews with his ex-wives.
Directed by Rachel Dretzin and Grace McNally, the survivors tell about their lives in the FLDS. Even when the Church is exposed, and several prominent men are revealed, the series shows Jeffs trying to keep control. The show reminds us of the pitfalls of blind faith, like Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.
5) Sins of our Mother – Netflix
This limited docuseries follows the extreme change in a doting mother and church-going woman’s personality after she gets ensnared in religious fanaticism. The show documents the story of Lori Vallow, who believes that people have ‘dark’ or ‘light’ spirits, and the ones who are spiritless need to be killed.
The show features Lori’s friends and relatives who discuss her drastic change in ideology. As two of her own children end up missing, a media frenzy takes over that suspects Lori and her husband to be at the heart of things. The series is a chilling watch, similar to Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.
6) The Staircase - Netflix
The Staircase is a true-crime docuseries that follows the life and murder trial of novelist Michael Peterson, who is accused of killing his wife, Kathleen, in their own home. As the law officials race to find the truth behind the incident—finding out if it was a murder or accident—Michael speaks his version.
The show covers many interesting elements, including Michael’s hidden past, the autopsy report, Kathleen’s family, and more. It follows like a courtroom drama and is extensive in its research. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade directs it. It is a must-watch after Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.
7) Worst Roommate Ever - Netflix
A docuseries with two seasons, Worst Roommate Ever chronicles the real-life stories of people who get trapped into living with some of the most violent roommates. The suspenseful show follows one story in each episode, ranging between four to five episodes.
Each episode provides background on the roommate and the people who have to bear the brunt of living with them and features interviews and expert opinions. From a college student going missing to a best friend turning into a killer foe, the show is a suspenseful watch like Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.
Viewers who liked Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter are welcome to browse the list and select a docuseries they like.