‘I'll Be Gone In The Dark’: Fans pay loving tribute to Michelle McNamara, call her ‘incredible, complete badass’

The series is a journey into the soul of McNamara, whose True Crime Diaries blog and years of relentless determination for justice for the victims helped keep the case alive
UPDATED JUN 29, 2020
Michelle McNamara (HBO)
Michelle McNamara (HBO)

'I'll Be Gone In The Dark' brings the gritty real-life story of how crime-writer Michelle McNamara's obsession helped bring the Golden State Killer in the public eye and eventually got him arrested. Based on her book, the HBO show pieces together how she got involved in the tragic tales of the survivors after getting hitched to her comedian-husband, Patton Oswalt. 

McNamara lived a quiet life as a writer, mother and wife, preferring to stay on the periphery of the Hollywood world. The series is a journey into the soul of McNamara, whose True Crime Diaries blog and years of relentless determination for justice for the victims helped keep the case alive. At 46, she tragically died of an accidental overdose while writing her book. 

After watching the first episode, fans can't stop talking about the author. "And it goes without saying that Michelle McNamara was an incredible woman and complete badass. I cannot wait for episode two. #IllBeGoneInTheDark," one said. Another wrote, "How wonderful is it to see every person talk about Michelle with the utmost love and adoration in their eyes. You can tell how wonderful of a person she is by looking at the people who loved her. #IllBeGoneInTheDark." Another viewer posted, "@HBO One episode in with #IllBeGoneInTheDark, and I'm hooked. I knew you'd do right with Michelle McNamara's story. To see and hear Michelle's words was moving. Ironically airing the day before he pleads guilty makes it even more moving."

Michelle Eileen McNamara with actor Patton Oswalt (Getty Images)

Not just McNamara, fans are beguiled by Oswalt and their young daughter Alice too. "I've always liked Patton Oswalt, I think he's very funny and talented, but everything he did to make sure this got finished after Michelle died makes me genuinely love him #IllBeGoneInTheDark," one said and another posted, "Something about when little Alice first appeared on #IllBeGoneInTheDark made me feel like we’re in for something different with this story. I’m here for it."

"#IllBeGoneInTheDark what an outstanding first episode, definitely hooked! @HBO and @pattonoswalt are definitely doing justice to the amazing talent and person Michelle McNamara is and the passion she brought to the investigation. Please watch if you haven’t, you won’t regret it!" one fan noted. Another said, "Enjoyed? The first episode of #IllBeGoneInTheDark. What I’m saying is that it is difficult to enjoy something that depicts such gruesome events, but I love that we also get to learn about Michelle McNamara and her journey."

‘I'll Be Gone In The Dark’ premiered on June 28 at 10 pm ET on HBO. 

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