Is True Detective Based on True Events?

Over the last ten years, we've had four seasons of True Detective. Each of them told a story that sometimes seemed too unlikely to actually happen. However, it's interesting that all the series were inspired by real events. Some are extremely dark and hard to comprehend, while others reveal the vast extent of corruption that can last for decades. We are investigating the inspiration behind the following seasons of True Detective.

Ritual murders of True Detective season 1

The first season of True Detective starts with the investigation of the murder of a woman named Dora Lange and the disappearance of Marie's child. Investigators discovered a disturbing recording of a ritual murder of Marie by people in disguise. It turns out that a cult has been active in the area for years, involving some of the most prominent members of the community.

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The season took inspiration from the scandal that broke out at the beginning of the 21st century. In Ponchatoula, Louisiana, a pastor, his wife, a sheriff, and several others have been engaged in activities that bear hallmarks of a satanic cult. They exploited approximately 24 children and regularly conducted ritual animal sacrifices over the course of several years. During the arrests, investigators confiscated a large collection of photos and recordings presenting disturbing content.

Corruption of True Detective season 2

The second season is much more grounded in reality and focuses only on money. The city of Vinci is the focal point of the events, with hardly anyone residing there, primarily housing large businesses, and governed by a unique dynasty with successors in the mayor's position. The story was inspired by an event that occurred in the city of Vernon, United States.

The mentioned city was established in the early 20th century, and by the 40s its founder, John Leonis, was involved in a corruption case that was ultimately closed. Vernon residents were evicted from their apartments, which led to as many as 1,200 businesses for every 112 citizens in 2010. The low population in these areas allowed Leonis's grandson, Malburg, to have free rein, while the city had a budget of around 300 million dollars.

Investigation of True Detective season 3

The third season of True Detective shows connections to several well-known cases that occurred in the United States. The series presents an investigation lasting several decades. The siblings, Will and Julie Purcell, go missing while cycling in 1980. Julie's fate remains unknown, despite the discovery of Will's body. The series events then transport us to 1990, when the case is reopened, and then all the way to 2015, where the story is continued.

The series features storylines from different cases, including the high-profile "The West Memphis Three" and the murders of Kevin Ives, Don Henry, and Jacob Wetterling. In many cases, the common point was children riding bikes late at night, which caused panic among parents limiting their children's outdoor time. The show also depicted how society views pop culture, such as heavy metal and the RPG Dungeons & Dragons, which were seen as the cause of such situations.

Unexplained mysteries of True Detective season 4

The latest season of True Detective features an investigation into the enigmatic vanishing of a group of scientists from a research center in Alaska. The case seems to be connected with murders from the past. The disappearance story was based on two real events, specifically the incident involving the crew of the brigantine Mary Celeste and the tragedy at Dyatlov Pass.

The mentioned ship's case occurred in the latter half of the 19th century. In early December 1872, the crew of the Dei Gratia spotted the unmanned Mary Celeste drifting. Everything on board was to be in perfect order and there was only one lifeboat missing, which the crew could use to leave the unit. However, it's unclear why they did so, as there were no indications of an attack or damage to the Mary Celeste, and the crew was never found.

On the other hand, the tragic event at Dyatlov Pass involved the deaths of all expedition members in the Northern Urals in early 1959. Contact with the group was lost, and when they were located, it was discovered that their tents had been cut open from the inside. Despite the low temperatures, the expedition members left the shelter without clothes, which led to hypothermia. Some expedition members suffered injuries to their skulls and chests. Currently, there are several theories about what happened, but none of them is official.

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