Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a deeply personal 2008 documentary made by Kurt Kuenne after the murder of his friend Andrew Bagby. Kuenne originally planned the film as a collection of memories for Andrew’s young son, Zachary. As the legal and family story changed, the project became an account of grief, custody, bail decisions and the efforts of Andrew’s parents to protect their grandson.
This is one of the most emotionally difficult true-crime documentaries. New viewers should know that many summaries reveal a major development that the film presents gradually. The first part of this article avoids that spoiler, followed by a clearly marked section for readers who want the full context.
Content note: Murder, domestic abuse, child death and intense grief.
| Full title | Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father |
|---|---|
| Year | 2008 |
| Filmmaker | Kurt Kuenne |
| Runtime | Approximately 95 minutes |
| Primary subject | Andrew Bagby, his family and his son Zachary |
| Style | Personal essay, memorial and true-crime documentary |
| Fact checked | 2026-07-20 |
What is Dear Zachary about?
Andrew Bagby was a young doctor whose friends remembered him as generous, funny and dependable. After he was killed in Pennsylvania in 2001, police identified his former partner, Shirley Turner, as the suspect. Turner went to Canada while authorities pursued extradition.
Kuenne began traveling to interview Andrew’s relatives, classmates and friends. The goal was to create a film that would allow Andrew’s son Zachary to know the father he would never meet. Those interviews give the documentary its unusual warmth. It is not only an investigation into a death. It is a portrait assembled by a community that loved the victim.
Why the film feels different from standard true crime
Kuenne was not an outside reporter discovering the story. He was Andrew’s friend, and his grief is present in the editing, narration, music and pace. The film moves quickly through photographs and home-video clips, creating the feeling of someone urgently trying to preserve a life.
That personal style is sometimes overwhelming, but it has a purpose. Andrew is not reduced to the fact that he was murdered. By the time the documentary turns fully toward the legal case, viewers understand why so many people were willing to speak and why his parents, David and Kathleen Bagby, fought so hard.
Should you watch Dear Zachary without spoilers?
Yes, especially if you already know that the film contains upsetting material and feel prepared for it. The structure was designed around Kuenne learning and responding to events. Reading every development first changes that experience.
However, avoiding spoilers is not more important than emotional safety. Viewers affected by child loss, domestic violence or failures in the justice system may prefer to read a full summary before deciding whether to watch.
Where to watch Dear Zachary
Streaming availability changes frequently. At the time of this fact check, JustWatch’s United States page listed options that could include Prime Video, Prime Video with ads, Pluto TV, Kanopy and Hoopla, plus rental or purchase through major digital stores.
Kanopy and Hoopla usually require access through a participating public library or university. Search the full title because “Dear Zachary” alone can surface reviews, reaction videos and unrelated short clips.
Spoiler section: what happens to Zachary?
Major spoilers follow.
While Turner fought extradition, she gave birth to Zachary and was released on bail. Andrew’s parents moved to Canada and attempted to maintain access to their grandson while also supporting the murder case against Turner. In 2003, Turner killed Zachary and herself.
The documentary then becomes an indictment of decisions that allowed a person accused of murder to remain free while caring for a child whose family feared for his safety. David and Kathleen Bagby channel their grief into advocacy, arguing for changes to Canadian bail law when the safety of children is at risk.
Did the documentary lead to a change in law?
The Bagbys’ advocacy contributed to public pressure for reform. A Canadian federal measure commonly called “Zachary’s Bill” amended bail considerations to give greater attention to the safety of minor children. The bill became law in 2010.
A documentary rarely produces change by itself, but Dear Zachary helped make the consequences of legal decisions understandable to a broad audience. The Bagbys’ sustained work with lawmakers was central to that result.
Is Dear Zachary ethical true crime?
The film is often praised for keeping Andrew, Zachary and their family at the center. It does not depend on mystery because the suspected killer is identified early. Its emotional force comes from the people who were lost and the people who loved them.
Some viewers may find the rapid editing and intense narration emotionally forceful. Still, Kuenne’s personal relationship to Andrew gives the film a reason for existing beyond public fascination. It began as a gift and memorial, not as a content format built around a famous case.
Final verdict
Dear Zachary is difficult to recommend casually because its impact is severe. It is also one of the clearest examples of a true-crime documentary that remembers the victim as a complete person. Andrew Bagby emerges through dozens of voices, and Zachary is treated as someone loved before the world knew his name.
Watch it when you are prepared for grief rather than suspense. The film’s lasting value is not the shock of what happens. It is the record of friendship, family devotion and the demand that institutions learn from irreversible failure.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dear Zachary about?
Kurt Kuenne began the film as a remembrance of his murdered friend Andrew Bagby for Andrew’s son, Zachary. It develops into a wider account of grief, custody and failures in the Canadian bail system.
Is Dear Zachary a true story?
Yes. It is a documentary built from interviews, home videos, news material and the real experiences of Andrew Bagby’s family and friends.
Where can I watch Dear Zachary?
U.S. options listed by JustWatch can include Prime Video, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Hoopla and major rental stores. Availability changes over time.
Does Dear Zachary have a sad ending?
Yes. The film contains a major tragedy beyond Andrew Bagby’s murder. New viewers may prefer not to read a full plot summary before watching.