VIDEOS PHOTOS TLC’s Women of Homicide to star 3 female true detectives

Fans of HBO’s True Detective can soon get a heapin’ helpin’ dose of real true detectives on April 9 when TLC premieres the documentary series Women of Homicide starring three real life female homicide detectives from Cincinnati and Atlanta as they investigate real life murder cases and interview real life suspects. (I am unsure if there will be real life beer can men involved.)

TLC announced the series in an official press release earlier today, revealing that the cast will consist of Cincinnati’s Jenny Luke and Jennifer Mitsch as well as Atlanta’s Summer Benton. From TLC:

There are approximately 15,000 murders per year in the United States, though only 15% of detectives dedicated to solving these crimes are women. TLC goes inside this gritty world, following the lives of three female homicide detectives in the major cities of Cincinnati and Atlanta. These women work relentlessly with their partners to bring closure to victims’ families by pursuing the truth and putting the guilty behind bars. Viewers will join the investigation, witnessing their persistent efforts firsthand – exploring their challenges and sharing in their hard-earned triumphs.

The new eight-episode series WOMEN OF HOMICIDE premieres April 9 at 9PM ET/PT.

In addition to the press release, TLC also shared the first Women of Homicide preview clips including a 30-second series trailer and another longer clip highlighting Jenny, who will be trying to figure out if a homicide that took place on a late-night walk in Cincinnati was the result of a set-up or a random act of violence in the premiere episode. Here is the preview trailer followed by Jenny’s clip:

Crime show enthusiasts might recognize Jenny Luke and Jennifer Mitsch as both have previously appeared on A&E’s series The First 48. Mitsch appeared in the episode “In Cold Blood/Red Handed” in 2008 and Luke appeared in five episodes from 2007 to 2010 including “Bicycle Bandits/First Shot” (2007), “Fit of Rage/Mean Streets” (2007), “Bail Out/Seeing Red” (2008), “Snapped/Fallen Angel” (2008) and “The Stranger/Prince of Darkness” (2010).

Here is one of Jenny Luke’s episodes with her segment, titled “First Shot,” starting right around the 7:50 mark:

And here’s “Fit of Rage/Mean Streets” that begins with Jenny Luke’s case:

Here is the 411 on Jenny Luke from the TLC press release followed by her bio from A&E:

TLC: In Jenny Luke’s 20 years on the force, and 13 years in the Homicide Unit, she has solved 70 cases for the city of Cincinnati, earning the trust and respect of her unit, peers and the admiration of her two sons. Prior to joining the Homicide Unit, Jenny posed undercover in vice for several years, taking on various roles to gain knowledge from the inside. This firsthand exposure to the grit of Cincinnati has provided her with a sharpened focus in her current role, enabling her to speak to suspects on their level, as she works to help convince the guilty to come clean. Jenny is newly married to a fireman, and works hard to balance her personal and professional life.

A&E: Jenny Luke worked in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department before she transferred to the Cincinnati Police Department. She joined the homicide unit five years ago and says, I would have never given up the opportunity to be part of a unit like this.

It doesn’t matter what the deceased person may have been doing in his life when he was murdered, Luke says. No one has the right to play God. She feels a strong sense of duty to work for not only the victim, but for the victim’s loved ones. Families depend on my unit to help them find closure. They are the ones suffering after their loved one is killed, so I want them to have any peace I can give them.

Luke previously worked in the undercover units and credits this experience with helping her think outside the box. Her past experience especially helps her in interviews. It helps me find alternative ways to catch ‘the bad guy’ in a lie.

Luke is a single mother with two boys, ages 4 and 11. She tries to attend every one of their football, basketball and baseball games. I couldn’t do this job without the help of my parents who constantly baby sit for me when I get called in or need to stay late, she says. I owe them everything.

Jennifer Mitsch bios from TLC and A&E:

TLC: Jennifer Mitsch has been a member of the Cincinnati Police Department for the last 16 years, and part of the Homicide Unit for eight years. She’s a wife and a mother of two young children, and fortunately for her, her husband understands the demands of the job, being a police officer himself. Jennifer is known for her calm demeanor and cool analytical approach when working through these cases, attacking problems with methodical patience. Since on the job, she has solved 31 cases. Jennifer is also a ‘Big Sister’ mentor, volunteers training search dogs and is pursuing an advanced degree.

A&E: Jennifer Mitsch has been with the CPD for 11 years and joined the homicide unit two and a half years ago. “Other than the abuse of a child,” Mitsch says, “I don’t think there’s anything worse than the crime of murder.”

“I think that most people, when something happens to them that’s bad, they want to know why. They want explanations. They want to understand. They want closure.” Mitsch does everything in her power to give the grieving families that kind of closure. “In the very beginning of a case,” Mitch says, I think you have to set everything else aside if you really want to do a good job.”

Though Mitsch understands the sacrifice that being a homicide detective takes, she acknowledges the importance of creating balance in her work and personal life. “You need to know when to set your boundaries, when it’s time be able to make time for yourself.”

Mitsch has a young son and daughter, and says they take up most of her time outside of work. She also devotes several hours each week training dogs to find missing persons.

Summer Benton bio from TLC:

Summer Benton has been with the Atlanta Police for 12 years and with Homicide for nearly five years. Inspired to become a police officer by her father, a former white-collar crime detective, Summer works hard to do her family legacy proud. In her short time on the job, she’s solved 28 cases. In her investigations, Summer utilizes her nurturing personality and ability to connect with people of all backgrounds, which has earned her the role of Hostage Negotiator for the City of Atlanta.

  

Here are some details on the cases to be featured in the premiere season:

In the first episodes, viewers will dive right in to the action and investigation that’s part of these women’s everyday lives: Detective Jenny Luke works to find out if a homicide that took place on a late-night walk in Cincinnati was the result of a set-up or a random act of violence. Meanwhile, Detective Jennifer Mitsch tries to identify the guilty in a drug deal that left one man dead and one paralyzed from the neck down. Finally, Detective Summer Benton hunts for the person who murdered a business owner in front of his own home.

As mentioned above, TLC’s Women of Homicide premieres Wednesday, April 9 at 9/8c.