A docuseries titled ‘Murder 101’ on Prime Video explores an unusual sociology project undertaken by students at Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Directed by Stacey Lee, the three-part series chronicles how Alex Campbell’s sociology classes have, since 2018, investigated the so-called Redhead Murders, a series of killings that plagued the area in 1984 and 1985.
The Redhead Murders involved the discovery of numerous female victims, all with red hair, within a six-month period. The case remained cold for decades, partly due to the lack of DNA testing and genetic genealogy research at the time, and the fact that many victims were unidentified. Campbell, an Elizabethton native, was inspired to have his students investigate the case as a form of project-based learning, moving away from traditional textbook methods.
The series focuses on Campbell’s 2025 class as they continue the work of previous classes. Students like William McDuffie, who is making a documentary about the investigation, and Hannah Metcalf, a student taking the class for the second time due to her passion for the case, are featured. Crimson Lashorne, a new student, also becomes engrossed in the investigation.
Learning Beyond Textbooks
‘Murder 101’ illustrates how the students learn practical skills alongside their investigation. They navigate the complexities of making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, encountering the bureaucratic hurdles that can make obtaining law enforcement records frustrating. Campbell uses these experiences to teach his students about assertiveness in transactions, drawing parallels to everyday tasks like making appointments.
The series also delves into why the case remained unsolved for so long. Campbell guides his students to understand the societal attitudes of the 1980s, where media coverage often focused on the marginalized lives of the identified victims, such as prostitutes or drug users, rather than on them as individuals. The students learn to approach the case with empathy, recognizing the humanity of the victims and their loved ones.
The investigative approach connects directly to sociology, with students building profiles of the killer based on known serial killer patterns. They examine the evidence uncovered by law enforcement and previous classes, including the identities of several victims and a person linked to one death and an assault on Linda Marie Schacke, the sole survivor.
A Unique Educational Approach
Campbell’s dedication to engaging his students is a central theme. The docuseries highlights his multifaceted personality, described as a