"Honestly, I think the vicarious fear (and rage) creates a physiological thrill that people become hooked on. They get that shot of adrenaline" - this is a bingo. Explains call-out culture as well (an aberrant villain is identified, the community bands together to purge itself of wickedness).

Interesting. I was not familiar with this. I know that there are guys, generally creepy, who are obsessed with serial murderers. I have heard from women friends and dates about guys who they have met (one date only, needless to say) who love to talk about them.

But now that I think about it, I have noticed a number of woman friends who have an interest in this sort of stuff.

As to why women like it, well, their explanation seems ludicrous. Picking up tips? Puhleese! Look no further than the popularity of fifty shades of gray, and horror movies combined. We all love a thrill if it is safe. But I suspect there is a slightly sexual element for women, who can play out certain feelings in a safe setting.

@2

I hypothesise - it's about disempowerment. When men think of getting murdered, it's a fight. For women, there's no fighting: If they get murdered or not, it comes down to the choices of the attacker. They're 'powerless' to fight back. While it's not explicitly erotic, I'm sure it's tickling the same portions of the brain.

An alternative is, that since women (and especially the women who enjoy True Crime - do we see ladies from the hood into this stuff?) are so unlikely to actually be murdered, that it's mysterious and intriguing; the same way guys might stereotypically be really into watching Shark Videos or something despite not being a scuba diving biologist.

Don't use an LGBTQIA acronym with an A for allies. Allies don't get a cookie for not being hateful.

Power.

I'm not persuaded there is a significant gendered difference to fascination with murder/murderers. Women just prefer more the British style of murder fascination- aloof, exotic, tied to a narrative.
Whereas gents prefer their murder American-style. Fast, graphic, violent...wander over to LiveLeak and it is all-murder, all the time, with pretty much an all-male audience.

"The study is rather weak if you actually read it"

♥ ♥ ♥
read your damn studies y'all