“Murderino” is the name fans of the My Favorite Murder podcast call themselves, forming one of true crime’s most devoted and active communities built around the mantra “Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered” (SSDGM).
The Origin
The term emerged shortly after My Favorite Murder launched in January 2016, coined by hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark to describe their growing fanbase of true crime enthusiasts.
The Community
Murderinos created:
- Facebook groups: 300,000+ members sharing hometown murders
- Live show culture: Sold-out theaters nationwide
- Fan Cult: Official fan club with exclusive content
- Meetups: Local groups gathering worldwide
- Merchandise: SSDGM became a lifestyle brand
SSDGM Philosophy
“Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered” encapsulates:
- Self-care meets safety awareness
- Feminist approach to true crime
- Dark humor as coping mechanism
- Community over competition
- Mental health advocacy
Cultural Impact
#Murderino became more than fans—it’s an identity:
- Murderinos support each other’s mental health
- Raise money for charities
- Share survival stories
- Combat victim-blaming
- Normalize therapy and trauma processing
Criticism
Some argue the community:
- Commodifies tragedy
- Makes light of serious violence
- Creates gatekeeping in true crime fandom
Legacy
Murderinos proved true crime audiences wanted community, not just content—spawning countless similar fan cultures in podcasting.
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