A pet cemetery built on land rumored to be cursed probably isn’t where most people would choose to spend their afternoon. We understand if you’re a massive Stephen King fan but most folks wouldn’t find this excursion as fun. For Dorothy Lou Thompson, it became the center of a mystery that would remain unsolved for decades and eventually take a strange turn into the paranormal.
That’s where HBO’s new three-part documentary series THE PET CEMETERY MURDERS: A GHOST STORY begins, exploring a Louisiana cold case that ultimately opens the door to a much larger history of violence, criminal activity and supernatural folklore.
Directed by Philip Cairney, the series premieres Sunday, Oct. 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes airing Sundays through Oct. 25.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “THE PET CEMETERY MURDERS: A GHOST STORY”
BELOW
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE: In 1985, Thompson disappeared from the rural bayou outside New Orleans. Her body was later discovered in the Mississippi River, wrapped in chains. With investigators unable to build a case against a suspect, the investigation eventually went cold. More than two decades later, Detective John Doran reopened the case in 2009, returning to old leads and evidence. That’s when the investigation took an unexpected turn. A witness came forward claiming to have encountered Dorothy’s ghost and said the murdered woman was seeking justice. Three years later, another witness reported being haunted by Dorothy.
The series features interviews with Dorothy’s friends, family and neighbors, along with law enforcement officers, journalists, historians, artists and attorneys who help piece together the case and its history.
Episode 1 • Oct. 11 • 9:00–9:46 p.m. ET/PT: Decades-old Louisiana cold case involving gruesome death of Dorothy Lou Thompson gains traction after haunting lead.
Episode 2 • Oct. 18 • 9:00–9:43 p.m. ET/PT: Detectives make strides, unlikely witness with vexing admission.
Episode 3 • Oct. 25 • 9:00–9:53 p.m. ET/PT: Murder solved, but trail of murders, mobsters, horrific history still haunts community.
THE PET CEMETERY MURDERS: A GHOST STORY comes from Lightbox, with Emmy winner Jonathan Chinn and Academy Award winner Simon Chinn producing. Cairney, whose credits include BEING BEETHOVEN, directs the series.
