Inside the “Soul-Crushing” Career of a Homicide Death Investigator, According to Barbara Butcher
Share and Follow

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.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Man Drives Into Teenage Girl and Crashes Through Fence: Police Report

Background: The location in Jacksonville, Fla., where Genesis Webber was killed (WTLV/WJXX).…

Anna Delvey Body Shames Herself?

Fake German heiress Anna Sorokin conned her way into Manhattan society. Posing…

Elderly Woman, 88, Fatally Attacked by Neighbor with Hammer

Inset top: Rena Eves (Obituary). Inset bottom: Jonathan Melendez (Jefferson County District…

Police: Woman Covered Mother’s Body with Blankets After Stabbing

Inset: Sarah Riste (Wesminster (Colo.) Police Dept.). Background: The neighborhood where Sarah…

Stranger Charged With Murders of 2 Arizona Teen at Remote Camping Site

A 31-year-old Arizona man was arrested this week for the apparently random…

A Body Discovered in the River Unravels a Disturbing Family Mystery

Five days after a body was pulled from New York City’s East…

“Kidnapper on the Loose After Victim Successfully Escapes: Police Report”

Inset: Shawn Prince (Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office). The street in Pennsylvania…

Linda Sobek, Former Raiders Cheerleader, Secured Iconic TV Show Role Before Disappearance

Former Los Angeles Raiders cheerleader Linda Sobek had just caught her big…