ID Unveils New Series on Hollywood & Playboy Murders

In late January, ID is set to kick off a new Monday night block with back-to-back premieres for Death by Fame and The Playboy Murders.

The six-part series Death by Fame, produced by Ample Entertainment, goes behind the scenes to uncover the sinister side of fame, revealing the stories behind the rise, fall and murder of some of Hollywood’s most promising stars. In the first episode, debuting January 23 at 9 p.m., the death of Drew Carey’s ex-fiancé and renowned Hollywood sex therapist, who was found murdered a day after Valentine’s Day, will be examined.

Other episodes look into the murder of The Voice star Christina Grimmie, whose YouTube channel attracted a stalker; Macedonian model Adea Shabani, who arrived in Los Angeles with big dreams but then mysteriously disappeared; actor Lloyd Avery II, who achieved overnight success with Boyz N the Hood and then went on the run in a portrayal of life imitating art; and more.

Following Death by Fame, the six-parter The Playboy Murders, from Lion Television US, will makes it debut at 10 p.m. on January 23. Hosted and executive produced by former Playboy Bunny Holly Madison, it reveals the dark side lurking behind the popular adult men’s magazine. The debut episode, “Bunny Meets Bachelor,” explores the murder of Playboy party hostess and model Jasmine Fiore, who was found dead and dismembered in a dumpster. When police began to investigate her romantic partners, her husband, a VH1 reality star, fled to the Canadian border.

Additional episodes look into Stacy Arthur, a middle-American mom who spent hours on Playboy’s premium 1-900 number, attracting one fan’s fatal obsession; the Playboy Club romance of Carole Gold and husband Charles that put a Bunny behind bars; former Playboy cyber girl Christina Carlin-Kraft, whose promising future was cut short after a night out; and more.

Both series will be available to stream the same day on discovery+.

“Starting this January, ID is moving right into the center of the pop culture conversation by unpacking how fascination with celebrity can quickly twist into an obsession with devastating results,” said Jason Sarlanis, president of crime and investigative content for linear and streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery. “With two new gripping series, we’ll explore some of the most shocking crimes in pop culture history. Death by Fame digs into the cases of Hollywood hopefuls whose dreams for bright lights and acclaim is instead met with tragedy, and, from executive producer Holly Madison, The Playboy Murders gives first-person insight far beyond the glamour of the magazine into the dark side of the iconic Bunny ears.”