Killing Fields: Discovery Channel Debuts First True Crime Series

Discovery Channel is premiering its first true crime series, Killing Fields, on January 5th.

The unscripted show will follow a criminal investigation in Louisiana in real time.

According to the press release, “Killing Fields will go inside a case that went cold nearly two decades ago in the small community of Iberville Parish, Louisiana, located just 15 miles from the state capitol, Baton Rouge. In June 1997, Louisiana State University graduate student Eugenie Boisfontaine was last seen near LSU’s lakes. Two months later, her body was found nearby in a watery ditch with evidence of blunt force trauma to her head.”

The series is being co-executive produced by Tom Fontana, who has previously worked on Oz and Homicide: Life on the Street, and film director Barry Levinson, known for many films like Wag the Dog and Good Morning, Vietnam.

(Los Angeles, Calif.) – There are isolated places in America that appear untouched by anyone. But underneath the surface, these beautiful landscapes reveal a much more sinister reality – a dumping ground for bodies and a home to countless unsolved murders. On Tuesday, January 5 at 10 PM ET/PT, Discovery Channel will premiere its first-ever true crime series titled KILLING FIELDS and take viewers inside an active criminal investigation as it unfolds. Shot in real time, the series follows the hunt for the killer.

Produced by Sirens Media, a Leftfield Entertainment Company, the unscripted series will be co-executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Tom Fontana (“St. Elsewhere,” “Homicide: Life On The Street,” “Oz” and “The Philanthropist”) and Academy Award-winning film director Barry Levinson (“Rain Man,” “Diner,” “Bugsy,” “Wag the Dog” and “Good Morning, Vietnam”).

KILLING FIELDS will go inside a case that went cold nearly two decades ago in the small community of Iberville Parish, Louisiana, located just 15 miles from the state capitol, Baton Rouge. In June 1997, Louisiana State University graduate student Eugenie Boisfontaine was last seen near LSU’s lakes. Two months later, her body was found nearby in a watery ditch with evidence of blunt force trauma to her head.

But who did it and why? Was it a single act of violence? Or was her murder part of a much bigger string of killings? Between 1997 and 2003, there were 60 cases of missing and murdered women in the area that went unsolved. And to make it even more complicated, the Baton Rouge area had multiple serial killers operating at the same time with two of the their victims living on the same street as Eugenie. Could these murders be connected?

Detective Rodie Sanchez was assigned to the case in 1997 and hasn’t stopped thinking about it since. He makes the bold decision to come out of retirement and gets permission to re-open the case. Rodie is determined to solve the mystery and make good on a broken promise to Eugenie’s mother: to find the person (or persons) responsible for killing her daughter.

“You never forget your first murder or crime scene,” Rodie said. “Once that gets in your blood, you want to be a cop for the rest of your life. I had a good life in law enforcement for over 30 some years. I missed it and thought about [this case] every day.”

Joining Rodie in the chase is a young hot-shot detective, Aubrey St. Angelo, who has a knack for reading people and isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions. However, the two can’t solve this case alone – they are joined by top-notch detectives at the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office.

With advancements in forensic science and DNA analysis, a lot has changed since 1997. But will this be enough to crack the case for good? And will Rodie be able to finally rest and move beyond the case that has forever haunted him?”

What do you think? Will you watch the premiere of Killing Fields? Would you like to see more true crime on Discovery?