America’s Most Wanted was the nation’s first true crime show. Since the show launched in 1988, police have captured more than 1000 fugitives featured on the series. John Walsh, the man behind the popular show, isn’t stopping now. He and his son Callahan Walsh are still on the hunt for criminals, years after John and his family suffered their own tragedy with the abduction and murder of his son Adam Walsh. Now, investigative reporter Kristin Thorne speaks with John and Callahan as part of a new true crime video series, In Touch Investigates, and they take a look back on some of the biggest moments from the groundbreaking television show.
“It was the first reality show. It took off. It just caught the people’s fancy, and we tried to do it with dignity,” John, 79, exclusively tells In Touch. “I said, ‘We’re never going to cross the lines. It’s never going to be gratuitous violence. We’re going to pick the stories. Hollywood’s not picking the stories. We’re not going to be any tabloid show. We’re going to try to get justice because it took 27 years to solve Adam’s case.’ So, I know just where the people were coming from, and the public made this show a hit. We continue to be a hit.”
In 1981, John’s 6-year-old son, Adam, was kidnapped and killed. After the horrific tragedy, he and his family were determined to help others find justice in the face of unimaginable circumstances. They created the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, but John wasn’t stopping there. In 1987, he was tapped to host America’s Most Wanted. The show he launched continues to make a difference today. Last season alone, it helped capture seven fugitives and find two missing kids.
