BBC Three’s Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge – Unraveling the Tragic Mystery with Zara McDermott

In Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge, Zara McDermott travels to Dorset to investigate the tragic 2017 death of Gaia Pope-Sutherland, a college student.

The small town of Swanage, where Gaia once resided, is still divided over the rumours that circulate about her disappearance. Many assumed she had been kidnapped, while others were convinced she had been murdered. The events leading up to Gaia’s death are chronicled across three episodes, highlighting the many mistakes and lapses made by the police and medical staff who were responsible for her care. Gaia’s loved ones share their perspectives on her life and the changes that should be made in this documentary.

Gaia disappears from her aunt’s house on a November 2017 evening just before sunset, and this episode tells the story of her search for her. She calls her twin sister, Maya, one last time before taking off, and then she runs. She’s very upset because she’s all by herself and has nothing to keep her warm, no way to contact anyone, and no epilepsy medication. Gaia’s family has made several urgent calls to the police, leading them to believe a massive search for her is currently underway.

Dorset Police released surveillance footage four days later showing Gaia running up a hill close to the residence of her childhood friend Nathan. A few days later, Nathan and his grandmother are taken into custody on murder charges, and their home is thoroughly searched. A young woman on a walk with her grandfather discovers Gaia’s clothes strewn across Dancing Ledge, a coastal clifftop not far from the family’s home, adding fuel to the fire of rumours circulating about Nathan and his family. Gaia’s final social media posts may also provide useful information.

Gaia’s family then learns of her relationship with a man who is five years older than she is. Although Nathan and his grandmother are exonerated of all charges, they suffer irreparable reputational damage, and he is no longer safe to visit Swanage.

Hundreds of volunteers eventually locate Gaia’s body in the thick vegetation on Dancing Ledge. The cold had killed her. Zara McDermott is curious as to what transpired; from whom or what was she fleeing. Is it possible that the man Gaia briefly dated played a role in her untimely demise?

When can we see the episode

We can see the first episode of Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge on Tuesday 25 July 2023 at 9.00pm on BBC Three.

Featured Image Credit: Gaia Pope-Sutherland (BBC/Summer Films/Pope-Sutherland family)