Secrets of a Murder Detective returns with a new episode on True Crime, airing on 29 May 2024. The episode, titled ‘Nanny’s Nightmare’, looks into the tragic murder of 21-year-old French au pair Sophie Lionnet.
On September 20, 2017, firefighters responded to a disturbing call at the London home of Sabrina Kouider and Ouissem Medouni. Neighbours reported a foul-smelling bonfire in the back garden, leading to a grim discovery. The burned body of Sophie Lionnet, who had been working as an au pair for the couple, was found, revealing a disturbing case of torture and murder.
Kouider and Medouni were arrested two days after the grim discovery. While they admitted to attempting to dispose of Lionnet’s body, they blamed each other for the heinous murder. The couple was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, facing a minimum term of 30 years.
The episode explores Lionnet’s initial positive experience as an au pair, which took a dark turn when Kouider became convinced that Lionnet was conspiring with her ex-boyfriend against her and her family. This led to a campaign of abuse, including starvation and torture, as Kouider and Medouni desperately tried to force a confession from Lionnet.
The investigation uncovered that Lionnet endured beatings, whipping with a cable, and severe injuries, including five broken ribs and a cracked breastbone, before ultimately being drowned in a bath. The couple then attempted to disguise their crime by burning her body on a bonfire and cooking chicken to mask the smell.
‘Nanny’s Nightmare’ includes insights from former Scotland Yard Homicide Detective Inspector Steve Keogh and Richard Leonard, as well as experts and Lionnet’s mother, offering a comprehensive examination of this disturbing case.
Secrets of a Murder Detective: Nanny’s Nightmare airs on Tuesday, 29 May 2024, at 10:00 PM on True Crime.
