Clare Bernal, Stalked: Murder in Slow Motion, 9 April 2024, Channel 5

In this episode of Stalked: Murder in Slow Motion, airing on Channel 5 on Tuesday 9 April, viewers will learn about the tragic case of Clare Bernal, a young woman whose life was cut short by her obsessive ex-boyfriend, Michael Pech.

The episode focuses on the events leading up to the deadly shooting at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, London, where Clare worked as a beauty consultant. On 13 September 2005, just ten minutes before the end of her shift, Michael entered the store and shot Clare in the back of the head and then three times in the face, in front of horrified colleagues and customers, before turning the gun on himself.

Clare, a former pupil at St Gregory’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Tunbridge Wells, had moved to Dulwich for her dream job in the cosmetics department at Harvey Nichols. She first met Michael when he was working as a security guard at the store, and they briefly dated for three weeks before Clare ended the relationship.

Michael, a Slovakian ex-soldier, became obsessed with Clare, bombarding her with endless phone calls and texts, following her to work and home, and even watching her through mirrors at the store. Clare’s health suffered due to the stress, and she struggled with sleep and eye infections. Despite her fears, she was reluctant to report Michael, feeling embarrassed and believing that she was overreacting since he hadn’t physically harmed her.

Clare’s concerns grew as Michael’s behaviour escalated. He told her he loved her early on, and his jealousy and controlling nature made her uncomfortable. When she tried to distance herself, he became more aggressive, even waiting outside her flat for hours and abusing her flatmate. Clare eventually confided in her mother, Patricia Bernal, and her colleagues, and they noticed red flags in his behaviour.

After Clare ended their relationship, Michael’s harassment intensified. He showed up at her flat with flowers and continued to stalk her at work, even using mirrors to watch her. He asked colleagues to intervene on his behalf, and when Clare asked him to stop, he grabbed her and shouted that she loved him. His text messages became more threatening, declaring that he would kill himself if they couldn’t be together and that if he couldn’t have her, no one would.

Clare finally reported Michael to the head of security at Harvey Nichols, and he was suspended and arrested. However, he was released on bail, and despite the conditions, he continued to stalk Clare, even finding her new address. Clare moved and changed her phone number, but it was all in vain. Michael travelled to Slovakia, obtained a gun license, and smuggled a handgun into the UK.

In court, Michael pleaded guilty to harassment, and Clare believed her ordeal was over. But just two weeks later, on 13 September, he walked into Harvey Nichols and carried out his deadly plan.

Stalked: Murder in Slow Motion delves into the devastating impact of stalking and the tragic consequences when warning signs are ignored. It highlights the importance of recognising and addressing obsessive behaviour before it’s too late.

Stalked: Murder in Slow Motion airs on Tuesday 9 April 2024 at 10.00 pm on Channel 5.