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Oxygen’s latest series is offering true crime fans something new: An inside look at “how these things are really solved.”
The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher, which airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Oxygen, transports viewers to the streets of New York City as acclaimed death investigator Barbara Butcher relives some of the most jaw-dropping cases of her 20-year career, which included time spent as Chief of Staff with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
“New York has some of the most interesting ways to die in the whole country,” Butcher exclusively told Oxygen of the new series. “And I got to see extraordinary things.”
What is The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher about?
According to Butcher, the series will focus on the cases that were “hard to solve” and involved victims who “had no reason to be killed,” following a case from the moment the body was discovered to its eventual outcome in the court system.
“You know, most of the time we can’t explain evil, but it it certainly is out there,” Butcher remarked. “In the show, you’re going to see some evil, and you’re going to see some incredible forensic death investigation, police work (and) how these things are really solved.”
As an expert in medicolegal death investigation, Butcher has investigated more then 5,500 death scenes throughout her career. The series promises to reveal “the stories behind some of the most compelling murders of our times,” and show that the key to unlock the mystery often lies within the information found at the crime scene or body itself, according to an official description of the series.
What should fans expect from The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher?
Butcher told Oxygen that viewers should get ready to see “some really tough stuff.”
“I know so many of you are an expert in true crime, having watched a lot of shows and learned a lot,” she said. “I think you’re going to see something a little different here. Now, there were some moments of horror, I won’t lie. But all in all, I think you’re going to see something else. And that is the people…you’re going to know what it feels like to be there. And I’m proud of that.”
Butcher believes the public, especially women, have become fascinated with true crime in recent years because of their own desire to better understand human nature and find ways to identify potential warning signs.
“Women like to solve puzzles. They like to learn, they like to investigate and women have an instinct for people,” Butcher said. “And I think one of the best things about this series is that you really get to know the people, the detectives, me and the families of these victims and the victims themselves.”
Barbara Butcher talks about working with Dick Wolf
The series is produced by Wolf Entertainment, Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz’s Alfred Street Industries and Universal Television Alternative Studio.
While speaking with Oxygen.com, Butcher shared what it was like to work with crime legend Dick Wolf, who is behind the long-running Law & Order franchise and serves as an executive producer on The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher.
“It’s so exciting. His shows are absolutely fabulous,” she said, adding “I’m really proud to be part of this Oxygen family. It’s a big deal for me. I mean, the girl from Brooklyn, the blue collar girl, daughter of a cop and a housewife. How did I get to wind up like this with Dick Wolf?”
The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Oxygen.
