NBC News Studios Presents Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder

November 4, 2025·19 min·1 clip

In 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was murdered in Greenwich, a wealthy community where police failed to make an arrest for decades.

This episode previews "Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder," a 12-part series hosted by veteran journalist Andrew Goldman. Goldman introduces his long-term obsession with the 1975 murder of 15-year-old Martha Moxley in Greenwich, Connecticut. The case gained notoriety when Moxley's neighbor, Michael Skakel—a nephew of Robert F. Kennedy—was convicted in 2002, only to be released on appeal in 2013. Goldman recounts how he, like much of the public, initially believed Skakel's guilt based on media coverage. He specifically cites journalist Jeffrey Toobin's reporting that Skakel confessed repeatedly and was driven by a romantic obsession. Author Dominick Dunne is noted for detailing how the Skakel family's wealth and Kennedy connections allegedly helped evade justice. Former detective Mark Fuhrman's book is mentioned for its claim that Skakel's father orchestrated a family conspiracy after the murder. The host reveals he faced a moral dilemma in 2015 when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked him to ghostwrite a book arguing for Skakel's innocence. Goldman took the job primarily out of personal fascination, which later deepened into an addictive investigation. His research led him to question initial assumptions, prompting interviews with dozens of voices, including Toobin, Amanda Knox, Fuhrman, and Dr. Henry Lee. Notably, the series will feature Michael Skakel's first-ever media interview. A significant portion of the episode establishes the setting of Belhaven, an exclusive enclave in 1970s Greenwich described as the "creme de la creme" for the wealthy elite. The Moxley family moved there in 1974 when father David was promoted. Neighbor Sheila McGuire recalls a seemingly idyllic, safe environment where kids played freely, though with largely absent parents. Rush Skakel, the gregarious, well-connected patriarch next door, sponsored the Moxleys for the Belhaven Club. Friends describe Martha Moxley as joyful, adventurous, and universally liked, with Peter Ziluca noting her genuine kindness and McGuire calling her "joy on legs." Martha's own diary entries reveal a "boy crazy" teenager who chronicled flirtations and "hot makeout sessions." The episode ends with her final diary entry from October 30, 1975, expressing excitement about a boy's notes, before her murder that night. The tone is investigative and reflective, blending narrative storytelling with Goldman's personal journalistic journey. It adopts a conversational yet meticulous style, setting up a complex mystery about memory, media influence, and privilege. Listeners who enjoy deep-dive true crime series that re-examine famous cases through fresh reporting will find this compelling. Those seeking a straightforward retelling of a settled story may find the skeptical, layered approach less satisfying.

As heard by us

A disciplined true crime opening that turns a murder into a study of privilege and justice.

Dead Certain opens with the Martha Moxley murder in Greenwich, Connecticut, then widens into a story about power, privilege, secrets, and justice.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want a true crime story that treats power as evidence.

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