After the ‘Serial’ podcast, a book about Adnan Syed by Rabia Chaudry

When the podcast “Serial” became a hit last year, it sparked global interest in the case of Adnan Syed, who was convicted 15 years ago of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, in Baltimore.

Now Syed’s friend Rabia Chaudry, who first brought the case to the attention of “Serial” producer Sarah Koenig, is writing a book about Syed, with his cooperation. Chaudry has long maintained that Syed is innocent of Lee’s slaying.

St. Martin’s Press will publish “Adnan’s Story” in September. According to a news release, the book “will feature never-before-published letters written by [Syed] from prison” and will “cover new evidence and possibilities that have since come to light.”

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Lee, a high school senior, was reported missing in January 1999; her body was found the next month. She had been strangled. The following year, Syed was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The case gained national attention 15 years later with the debut of “Serial,” which led some to question Syed’s guilt. Earlier this month, a judge in Maryland ruled that the case should be reopened so Syed could introduce new evidence and testimony that could cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.

In a news release, Syed said he is grateful to be working with Chaudry, a lawyer, on the book. “The first letter I received after being arrested in 1999 was from Rabia. Since that time until now, she has believed in my innocence and been committed to my exoneration,” he said. “As someone connected to me, my family, my community, my lawyers, and my investigation, there is no one better to help tell my story, and no one that I trust more to tell it, than Rabia.”