Bayou crimes mostly go unpunished in the haunting HBO doc The Pet Cemetery Murders
The Pet Cemetery Murders isn’t as daring as the two Errol Morris masterpieces it calls to mind. But it has a fascinating story to tell, and a sharp angle on it. Sometimes that’s enough.
The HBO documentary The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story delves into the unsolved murder of Dorothy Lou Thompson, the owner of a pet cemetery in rural Louisiana. The series, directed by Phil Cairney, explores the case through archival news footage, interviews with those involved, and theories about who may have committed the crime.
Thompson's murder in 1985 has remained unsolved for over 25 years, despite rumors of wrongdoing within her pet cemetery and connections to her husbands' deaths. The documentary also explores the history and cultural significance of the region, which is known for its bayous, marshes, and tragic past. Cairney's focus on the local color and accents adds to the authenticity of the story, but some may argue that the documentary could have delved deeper into the broader implications and connections.
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