Jump directly to the content

ITV IS bringing viewers a new true crime series, Social Media Murders.

This mini-series brings together three documentaries, each focusing on a shocking real crime that resulted in the death of a young person. 

Tragic teen Alex Rodda features on ITV's Social Media Murders
4
Tragic teen Alex Rodda features on ITV's Social Media MurdersCredit: MEN Media

When is Social Media Murders released on ITV2?

The three episodes will air over consecutive nights.

The first documentary will air TONIGHT (November 15, 2021) and conclude on Wednesday 17, 2021.

You can catch each episode on ITV at 9pm.

You will also be able to watch all three documentaries on the .

What is the Social Media Murders about?

Episode 1 - The Murder of Grace Millane

Grace Millane was brutally murdered
4
Grace Millane was brutally murderedCredit: PA

This documentary tells the tragic and disturbing story of 22-year-old Grace Millane, a British backpacker who went missing while on a Tinder date in Auckland in 2018.

A week after Grace’s disappearance 26-year-old Jesse Kempson was arrested and later convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. 

After university Grace embarked on the adventure of a lifetime travelling to South America and then New Zealand.

The night before her 22nd birthday Grace arranged to meet Jesse Kempson for a date - the pair had met via Tinder. 

Raising questions around women’s safety, this film documents the night of Grace’s disappearance, the subsequent search for her, the arrest of Jesse, the court case that followed and ultimately the role that a dating app played in bringing these two individuals together. 

Exclusive interviews with the investigators closest to the case combined with both revealing police interview footage with the culprit Kempson and CCTV footage tell the story of a truly chilling case that sparked worldwide media attention. 

Episode 2 - The Murder of Alex Rodda

Alex Rodda was murdered by evil Matthew Mason
4
Alex Rodda was murdered by evil Matthew MasonCredit: MEN Media

This episode explores the case of Alex Rodda, a 15-year-old teenager who was murdered by 18-year-old Matthew Mason in December 2019, six weeks after they first exchanged messages via social media.

The pair initially forged a relationship through social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat which is where the grooming process started.

Mason was soon sending explicit images of himself to Alex before the pair began a sexual relationship.

But Mason, who in fact had a girlfriend at the time, was keen to conceal the liaisons between him and Alex and his sexuality and went to extreme lengths to do so.

For the first time Alex’s family and friends speak openly and powerfully as they introduce us to the much-loved young boy, and talk through the events that led up to the night his killer drove Alex to a remote woodland in Ashley, Cheshire where he brutally murdered him, as well as the trial that followed. 

Episode 3 - The Murder of Molly McLaren

Molly McLaren was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Joshua Simpson
4
Molly McLaren was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Joshua SimpsonCredit: PA:Press Association

The last episode explores the case of Molly McLaren, a 23-year-old woman who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Joshua Stimpson in 2017.

This documentary provides insight into a relationship, which began after meeting on Tinder, was ended by Molly following a few months of dating as Joshua grew more controlling.

An avid social media user, Molly documented their relationship on her own platforms but social media not only played a role in bringing these two individuals together but also served as a tool for the culprit to track her movements.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

In a disturbing turn of events, Joshua began to harass Molly on Facebook - posting derogatory messages and photos.

She informed both the police and the social media platform in question, however in a horrific final development, her ex-boyfriend followed her and murdered her in a car park outside her gym. 

Topics