More than two years after his arrest, and after decades of allegedly terrorizing the Black men and women of Kansas City, Kansas, disgraced former detective Roger Golubski was set to go on trial. Until, that is, he was found dead. A new season of Overlooked, from KCUR Studios and the NPR Midwest Newsroom, investigates.
Overlooked: Golubski On Trial
Roger Golubski finally had a trial date set. On Dec. 2, 2024, the former Kansas City, Kansas, detective was scheduled to face federal prosecutors, his alleged victims and a jury over charges that he kidnapped and raped vulnerable Black women using the power of his badge.
Except the morning his trial began, Golubski was found dead at his house.
“Overlooked: Golubski On Trial” is a new season of the award-winning investigative podcast from KCUR Studios and The Midwest Newsroom. We’ll be exploring the case against Golubski, and continuing to report on the fallout from his death.
These federal charges were just a tiny piece of a decades-long story. As Overlooked revealed in our first season, Golubski was responsible for putting an innocent man, Lamonte McIntyre, in prison for 23 years. And it wasn’t until 2017, when McIntyre was exonerated and a list of murdered women appeared, that people in power started to realize how deep the problem went.
Golubski had been using his badge to exploit women for decades — and it was an open secret.
We'll continue to investigate the new questions raised by Golubski's death: Why and how could this happen? What of the evidence collected by prosecutors, and the testimony of his alleged victims?
What does the future hold for the KCKPD? And what would justice even look like now?
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What does it mean for Kansas City, Kansas, to move forward after the apparent suicide of Roger Golubski? KCUR gathered survivors and other community members for a public conversation about the damage Golubski caused, how they felt let down by the justice system and what they want to see happen next. -
Roger Golubski was found dead of an apparent suicide on the day — the very hour — his federal trial was supposed to begin. That means that the case against him, which would have featured multiple women testifying about the abuses Golubski allegedly perpetrated, is dead as well. How did this trial fall apart? How do victims feel about it? And who will be held accountable now — if anyone?
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More than two years after being arrested, Roger Golubski finally has a trial date set. On Dec. 2, the former Kansas City, Kansas, detective will face federal prosecutors, his alleged victims and a jury over charges that he kidnapped and raped vulnerable Black women using the power of his badge. In our new podcast season, “Overlooked: Golubski On Trial,” we’ll be exploring the history of the case and reporting what happens in the courtroom.
Overlooked: Season 1
Catch up on the first season of the award-winning investigative podcast from KCUR Studios and The Midwest Newsroom.
Praise for Overlooked
Public Media Journalists Association Awards 2023: Best Narrative/Produced Podcast (First Place) and Best Investigative Reporting (Second Place)
Investigative Reporters & Editors Awards 2023: Best Audio Project (Small Market)
Crime Writers On: "A great example of what great local public radio reporting can do to elevate stories to a national audience."
Kansas Reflector: “'Overlooked' is its own thing: a blend of thorough reporting, vibrant writing and narrative storytelling."
NPR: "15 binge-worthy podcasts to check out"
Current: "Overlooked walks the line between true crime and public media. While some parts are certainly jaw-dropping, it is never sensational."
Overlooked is a production of KCUR Studios and the NPR Midwest Newsroom, and a member of the NPR Podcast Network.
It’s hosted by Peggy Lowe, with reporting by Peggy Lowe, Steve Vockrodt and Dan Margolies. Mackenzie Martin and Suzanne Hogan produced, mixed, and did the sound design for the podcast, with editing by CJ Janovy and mixing help from Paris Norvell and Trevor Grandin. Digital editing by Gabe Rosenberg. Social media promotion by Allison Harris.
Photos by Carlos Moreno and Julie Denesha. Artwork by Crysta Henthorne and Chandler Johnson of Kalimizzou. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Genevieve Des Marteau, Lisa Rodriguez and Holly Edgell.