Inside CrimeCon's uneasy mix of fandom and tragedy

The clamour of the crowd is constant in a Las Vegas convention hall. Podcasters rub shoulders with prosecutors, and attendees - wearing T-shirts emblazoned with slogans like "True Crime And Wine" or "I'm Only Here For An Alibi" - carry conference-provided bags stamped with "unsolved crime is a choice". Amongst rows of booths, one woman stands apart, staring stoically ahead as people pass by pictures of her murdered daughter. They are all here for CrimeCon, an annual gathering of true-crime enthusiasts, content creators, investigators, advocates, survivors and victims' relatives. But for many - including stoic mom Dr Maggie Zingman - their reasons for being here are deeply personal. In 2004, the trauma psychologist's daughter, Brittany Phillips, was murdered, and her case has never been solved. Zingman has refused to give up her search for answers, making more than two-dozen trips across the country in a wrapped pink and purple vehicle loudly telling the world about her child's case. CrimeCon is one of her stops. Zingman recognises the event's inherent contradictions, as it tries to build an audience - and turn a profit - from real-life tragedies. "It's a balance," Zingman says. "I

Jun 20, 2026 → Jun 20, 2026