Episode Overview

Podcast: Here's the Scoop
Episode: Introducing: Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder
Date: October 28, 2025

This episode serves as a dramatic introduction and teaser for NBC News Studio’s investigative podcast series, “Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder.” It explores the enduring mystery and controversy surrounding the 1975 murder of 15-year-old Martha Moxley in Greenwich, Connecticut—a case infamous for its ties to the Kennedy family, years of media scrutiny, and unresolved questions about justice and privilege. Journalist Andrew Goldman, the series host, shares his personal journey into the depths of the case, promising new revelations, exclusive interviews, and a definitive retelling of the story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Martha Moxley’s Murder and the Media Frenzy

• The episode opens by setting the scene:
  • [00:00] Martha Moxley, a beloved 15-year-old, was violently killed the night before Halloween in 1975 in an affluent Connecticut neighborhood.
  • Police faced immense pressure but failed for decades to identify a suspect. The investigation was hampered by their lack of homicide experience.
  • Early on, media coverage zeroed in on her privileged background and the opulence of the Belhaven community.

2. The Case Goes Cold—And Then Explodes

• Authorities questioned hundreds and chased numerous leads, but nothing stuck.
• [00:46] “Over the years, the police had their suspects. This individual is the last to see the victim...But none of the leads stuck and eventually the case went ice cold.”
• The story re-emerges 25 years later: Michael Skakel, Martha’s teenage neighbor and a Kennedy cousin, is arrested—injecting celebrity, legacy, and further controversy into the case.

3. Public Assumptions and the Kennedy Connection

• [01:20] “The Kennedy connection is the reason that most people know about this case, or at least think they know about it.”
• Both the host and broader public acknowledge that perceptions of the case have been driven by its links to the Kennedy dynasty and heavy media coverage.
• Goldman confesses his personal bias:
  • [01:37] Andrew Goldman: “Of course. Michael Skakel killed his next door neighbor, Martha Moxley. He beat her to death with a golf club. I knew it. And if you followed the case like I did, I bet you knew it too.”

4. Andrew Goldman’s Personal Obsession

• Goldman, a veteran journalist, describes being drawn deep into the case from 2015 onward.
• [02:01] Andrew Goldman: “Once this story got its hooks in me, it wouldn’t let me go. For the better part of a decade, I’ve immersed myself in every detail of this story and interviewed dozens of those closest to it. I think it would be fair to say that it’s become an addiction for me.”
• He hints at revelations and complexities overlooked or misunderstood by previous reporting.

5. Rethinking the Narrative: Skepticism and New Questions

• The series promises not just to recount the well-known elements of the case, but to critically examine the assumptions made by media and authorities.
• [02:40] Andrew Goldman: “This whole event made me a lifelong skeptic of media and authority. I thought I understood the case...But the deeper I dug, the more I came to question everything I thought I knew. I discovered a much darker, more shocking tale than I ever could have guessed.”
• The narrative moves from a simple story of privilege and murder to one involving complexity, doubt, and new perspectives.

6. Compelling Voices & Never-before-Heard Testimony

• The series features interviews with a diverse range of voices:
  • Legal analysts (Jeffrey Toobin),
  • Wrongly convicted advocate (Amanda Knox),
  • Crime experts (Mark Fuhrman, Dr. Henry Lee),
  • And, notably, Michael Skakel himself—the man at the center of the storm.
• [03:30] Michael Skakel: “My name is Michael Skakel. And why am I being interviewed? I mean, that’s kind of a big question, isn’t it?”

7. New Promises: An Authoritative Account

• Goldman teases a definitive, comprehensive version of the case—one that, he contends, listeners won’t want to miss.
• [03:22] Andrew Goldman: “Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder is a podcast series that I believe will finally provide a full, true, authoritative account of the Martha Moxley case. In this series, you’ll be hearing from dozens of voices, some of whom may be familiar to you.”

8. Series Release Information

• The full podcast series premieres on November 4th.
• Listeners are encouraged to “follow and subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:37] Andrew Goldman:
  “I watched the news, I read the articles, of course. Michael Skakel killed his next door neighbor, Martha Moxley. He beat her to death with a golf club. I knew it. And if you followed the case like I did, I bet you knew it too.”
• [02:01] Andrew Goldman:
  “Once this story got its hooks in me, it wouldn’t let me go. For the better part of a decade, I’ve immersed myself in every detail of this story… It’s become an addiction for me.”
• [02:40] Andrew Goldman:
  “This whole event made me a lifelong skeptic of media and authority. I thought I understood the case...But the deeper I dug, the more I came to question everything I thought I knew. I discovered a much darker, more shocking tale than I ever could have guessed.”
• [03:30] Michael Skakel:
  “My name is Michael Skakel. And why am I being interviewed? I mean, that’s kind of a big question, isn’t it?”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-00:45 – Setting the scene: the murder, failed police investigation
• 00:46-01:19 – Early suspects, stalled leads, the case goes cold
• 01:20-01:37 – Introducing the Kennedy connection and public perception
• 01:38-02:00 – Andrew Goldman’s personal connection and biases
• 02:01-02:40 – Obsession, research, and questioning the narrative
• 02:41-03:22 – The promise of a new, definitive series
• 03:23-03:45 – Notable interviewees, including Michael Skakel
• 03:46-end – Series premiere info and call to action

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is intense, suspenseful, and investigative in tone, mirroring true-crime storytelling. Goldman’s narration weaves personal obsession with professional rigor, and the inclusion of direct voices from those involved heightens the sense of drama and anticipation.

In summary:
This episode previews a gripping new investigation into the Martha Moxley case, promising to challenge preconceived notions with fresh insights, exclusive interviews, and a provocative re-examination of justice and privilege in America.