While one might never have heard of her, the question “Who killed Hae Lee?” is intriguing. It brings up a lot of additional questions. Who is Hae? How did she die? Why is there any doubt as to who did it?

The first season of a new podcast titled “Serial” aims to shed some light on the curious circumstances surrounding the death of Lee, which took place in 1999 in Baltimore County, Maryland. “Serial” breaks down the story, piece by piece, in several episodes. They share the main characters in this tale, the details of the heinous crime, and pick apart the trial that ultimately led to the conviction of Adnan Syed, Lee’s ex-boyfriend. While “ex-boyfriend kills ex-girlfriend” might be a familiar trope, the episodes lay out the case and it becomes clear that this crime is far from an open and shut case.

The show comes from alumni of the popular radio program “This American Life”, which is known for being a top rated podcast in its own right. “Serial” aims for similar heights, laying out drama that could rival the best episodes of Law and Order if it weren’t for the sobering fact that the story is true.

Currently the podcast is in the middle of its first season. It’s hard to tell at this point what the producers are building up to. Is it some kind of dramatic declaration? Maybe they think Syed is innocent. Perhaps a confession to the crime in which he has been sentenced looms in the distance. Host Sarah Koenig and her staff are careful to stay objective in their reporting on this mystery, which will surely keep listeners guessing until the end. Whatever the result, “Serial” appears to present a lot of promise for a dramatic and riveting first season.

One may start listening to season one on serialpodcast.org, which also has a helpful guide if the listener is new to podcasts.