Liverpool is shaken by two shocking murders that occur just two days apart. Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley and Olivia, a four-part documentary series, provides an in-depth look at these tragic events and the subsequent police investigations. The series premieres on Channel 4, Monday, 19 August 2024, at 9:00 pm.
In the early hours of Sunday, 21 August 2022, 28-year-old Ashley Dale is fatally shot in her home. Just two days and two miles apart, nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel suffers the same fate, also shot dead in her home. These senseless killings stun the city and the nation. As the media descends on Liverpool, the community unites in grief, and Merseyside Police face intense pressure to find the perpetrators.
The documentary grants exclusive access to Merseyside Police as they tackle the challenging task of solving these crimes. It also includes heart-wrenching interviews with the victims’ families, including both bereaved mothers, who courageously share their stories and speak about the devastating loss of their daughters.
In the premiere episode, detectives discover a series of messages and voice notes on Ashley’s phone, providing insights into her life and the events preceding her death. These could be crucial in identifying a motive and the culprit. In the investigation into Olivia’s murder, police make a public appeal to Liverpool’s criminal underworld for information. Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, recounts the harrowing details of the night her young daughter was taken. New information also emerges about the weapon used in the shooting.
Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley and Olivia airs Monday, 19 August 2024, at 9:00 pm on Channel 4.
