'I wanted to create something that gave the victims power'

Laura delves into harrowing cases for TV doc | 'It's difficult but we need to pose the question'

- BY LYNN RUSK and AALIYAH RUGG

IRISH star Laura Whitmore will explore the reasons why some teenagers turn to murder in her new documentary series, which begins next week.

The Bray presenter's new five-part series examines five different cases, featuring testimonies from family members and those closest to the victims.

One case is that of Samantha Madgin, 18, who was brutally stabbed to death in 2007 following a street altercation between two groups of young people.

Another focuses on Holly Newton, 15, murdered in 2023 by her 16-year-old ex-boyfriend, who had exhibited coercive and controlling behaviour towards her.

Ahead of the new series, Laura, 40, discusses her experience of speaking with victims' families and the importance of putting the victim at the heart of the episodes.

She said: "I've worked in documentary making before. I made three films a year or two ago on three very different subjects.

"One was about incels where I interviewed a lot of young men, from both the UK and US, and one of the things that I realised was that these crimes are happening much closer to home.

"When this show about teenage killers first came up, which sadly we see in the papers more and more, it felt more relevant than ever.

"It's really difficult, but we need to do this in a way that feels sensitive, but also importantly, empowering for the victim's families.

PSYCHOLOGY