Hulu’s Under the Bridge episode 5 includes a mention of the name Perry Smith, referencing a 65-year-old murder. While this series follows the true story of the murder of Reena Virk, it also fictionalizes characters and details. One big change is the choice to make the author of the eponymous source novel a main character in Under the Bridge, actually having an active role in the case instead of functioning as a journalist.

In Under the Bridge episode 5, Rebecca Godfrey helps Cam by becoming even more involved in the investigation of Reena Virk’s murder. When Rebecca discusses the idea of her talking more with the teen suspects, she says, “Hey, Perry Smith told Capote things he never told anyone else.” Even without knowing the context of the individuals, the message is clear that Rebecca feels that she can get more information out of Jo. However, the quote has a much deeper meaning as well. This quote references one of the most notorious family murders of all time, which occurred 65 years ago.

Perry Smith Was Convicted Of The Clutter Family Killings In 1959 – The Subject Of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood Book

The two individuals Rebecca refers to in Under the Bridge episode 5 are Perry Smith – the perpetrator of the Clutter family murders – and Truman Capote – the author of In Cold Blood, the book about the crime. On November 15, 1959, two men named Dick Hickock and Perry Smith drove from Olathe, Kansas, to Holcomb, Kansas, in order to break into the home of Herbert Clutter. The farmer was rumored to possess a safe with $10,000 which the men hoped to steal. However, they brought with them a 12-gauge shotgun and stopped to buy rubber gloves and rope.

This was key evidence that the two premeditated the murders, not just robbery. When they got to the house, they took Mr. Clutter and his son, Kenyon, to the basement where they were hogtied. The criminals then tied up Mrs. Clutter in the bathroom and the daughter, Nancy, in the bedroom. While Hickock couldn’t follow through with the plan, Perry Smith proceeded to cut the throat of Mr. Clutter and shoot all four victims in the head. This horrific murder became a household name when author Truman Capote wrote the nonfiction novel In Cold Blood, revolutionizing true crime books .

Why Rebecca Compares Herself & Jo To Truman Capote & Perry Smith In Under The Bridge

The reason that Rebecca compares herself and Jo to Truman Capote and Perry Smith is that Smith opened up to Capote in a way that he wouldn’t with the police. He was willing to share inside thoughts and moments of the crime that would’ve otherwise died with him. Rebecca hoped that Jo and the other teens would open up to her because they trusted her. She could then use that information to help Cam with the police investigation in Under the Bridge.

This is a direct contrast to real life, where author Rebecca Godfrey – functioning as a journalist – had to keep confidential information from both the police and the teenagers in order to maintain the trust of both parties (via The Paris Review). Coincidentally, because of her ability to get inside information and the narrative approach, Godfrey’s Under the Bridge ended up being compared to Capote’s In Cold Blood in real life.

Sources: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and The Paris Review