The mushroom killer was obsessed with true crime. Now true crime fans are obsessed with her.

Details of the Obsession and Crime

A true crime obsessive has been accused of killing two of her friends and hiding their bodies in fungi-covered drums. The accused, 51-year-old Michelle Le, was obsessed with true crime and had a extensive collection of crime books and podcasts. She is reported to have told a friend that she and her accomplice, 63-year-old Charles Byrne, were inspired by the television show Breaking Bad and its protagonist, Walter White, who manufactured and sold methamphetamine.

The Tragic Discovery

The victims, 46-year-old Lisa Brown and 45-year-old Jackie Rogers, disappeared in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Their bodies were not found until 2020, concealed inside drums filled with concrete and covered with fungi, in the basement of a house in East Nottingham, Maryland. Le and Byrne are charged with two counts of first-degree murder and concealment of a dead body; both are being held in custody with no bail.

The Media Response

The case has captured widespread media attention and has fascinated true crime fans, who are now combing through Le's social media posts and online activity. Many are wondering how a true crime devotee could become a perpetrator of such heinous crimes. Experts note that true crime fandom has skyrocketed in recent years, and that fans may feel drawn to the darker side of the genre, including questions of how someone might become a killer like those they are fascinated by.

The Ongoing Trial

The trial is ongoing, with additional charges and details likely to emerge. Friends and family of the victims are seeking answers about their disappearances, and true crime fans around the world are eagerly anticipating new revelations about this unique and tragic case.