The Journalist Who Loved a Serial Killer

The article discusses Laura Greenberg, a Tucson reporter whose professional pursuit to understand serial killer Doug Gretzler turned into an ethically compromised, decade-long obsession. Their intense, codependent connection—involving hundreds of visits and letters—is the focus of the new documentary, “Charmed by the Devil,” which explores the psychological toll and blurred boundaries of true-crime reporting.

Story Overview

Laura Greenberg’s relationship with serial killer Doug Gretzler spanned over a decade.
Their connection included 350 prison visits, hundreds of letters, and over 500 hours of conversations.
This intense connection blurred professional boundaries and impacted Greenberg’s personal life.
New documentary “Charmed by the Devil” explores this obsession and its broader implications.

Greenberg’s Immersion into Darkness

In 1986, Laura Greenberg, a Tucson reporter, embarked on a mission to understand the mind of Doug Gretzler, a largely unknown serial killer on Arizona’s death row. This journey led her to form a deep, complex bond with Gretzler, involving 350 prison visits and hundreds of letters. Her pursuit to “understand why people kill” turned into an all-consuming quest, intersecting with her personal life and blurring the lines of journalistic integrity.

This intense relationship forms the backbone of the new documentary, “Charmed by the Devil,” which delves into the psychological and ethical dilemmas faced by Greenberg in her pursuit of closure for victims’ families.

The documentary highlights the scale of Greenberg’s involvement, revealing a massive trove of tapes, letters, and documents that she compiled over the years, making her home a museum of her obsession.

Journalist’s dangerous obsession with a forgotten serial killer unraveled her reality https://t.co/7CMl8hUrkI

— Follow @JodyField (@JodyField) January 12, 2026

The Ethical Dilemma of Journalistic Obsession

The documentary brings to light the ethical tensions that arise when a journalist becomes deeply intertwined with a source. Greenberg’s case is an example of how crossing professional boundaries can lead to emotional and psychological entanglement. Her relationship with Gretzler evolved into a codependent bond, where both relied on this connection for their own reasons. Gretzler, isolated on death row, found an emotional outlet in Greenberg, even professing love and expressing jealousy over her personal relationships.

While Greenberg’s work provided victims’ families with clarification missing from official records, it also exposed her to vicarious trauma. Her nephew, filmmaker Ben Giroux, emphasizes the codependent nature of their relationship, suggesting that the execution of Gretzler in 1998 was not the end, but rather the beginning of Greenberg’s deeper obsession.

Journalist’s dangerous obsession with a forgotten serial killer unraveled her reality | Local News Now (WRGA AM)

Impact and Reflections on True-Crime Reporting

The release of “Charmed by the Devil” has reignited discussions about the responsibilities and boundaries of true-crime reporting. The documentary not only revisits the chilling crimes of Gretzler and his accomplice Willie Steelman but also exposes the personal cost to Greenberg, who witnessed Gretzler’s execution at his invitation. As the documentary airs, it prompts reflection on the psychological toll on journalists who immerse themselves in the darkest parts of human nature.

Greenberg’s story serves as a cautionary tale for journalists, highlighting the need for clear ethical guidelines and mental health support when engaging with violent offenders. It challenges the true-crime genre to balance sensationalism with sensitivity to victims and those chronicling their stories.