Murder at The U
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed
"A rare intersection of sports and true crime — ESPN's investigative resources applied to an unsolved murder."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news
Pros & cons
- +High binge factor — listeners consistently come back for more
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
About this podcast
In 2006, Bryan Pata was a senior defensive tackle for the University of Miami with a bright future ahead of him — the NFL was around the corner. Murder at The U, from ESPN's 30 for 30 podcast strand, investigates his murder and the case that has never been fully resolved.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Murder at The U
What is Murder at The U about?
In 2006, Bryan Pata was a senior defensive tackle for the University of Miami with a bright future ahead of him — the NFL was around the corner. Murder at The U, from ESPN's 30 for 30 podcast strand, investigates his murder and the case that has never been fully resolved.
Is Murder at The U worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Good if sports-world true crime interests you". It scores 7/10 on binge factor. ESPN's 30 for 30 podcast strand covers the 2006 murder of Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Bryan Pata, months from a likely NFL career.
Who is Murder at The U for?
Murder at The U is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news.
What is the best episode of Murder at The U to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Murder at The U?
Murder at The U is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Murder at The U?
If you enjoy Murder at The U, you might also like: In the Dark, Serial, Believed, Pipeline. See our full "Podcasts Like Murder at The U" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Narrative, journalistic, compelling
- Episode length
- 30-40 min
- Episodes
- 12 episodes
- Binge factor
- 7/10
- Country
- United States
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