A NEW TV series of Crimes That Shook Britain will feature the murder of Wirral beautician Elle Edwards in its first episode. 

The eight-part series, presented by Dermot Murnaghan, will uncover the truth behind crimes that have shocked the nation, as told by friends, family, and the detectives charged with bringing the perpetrators to justice. 

Elle was hit twice in the back of the head when Connor Chapman fired 12 shots from a Skorpion submachine gun outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village just before midnight on Christmas Eve 2022.

The first episode in the new series has exclusive access to Elle’s family, police investigators and journalists and tells the story of a family left devastated and a community in shock.

During Chapman's trial, the court was told Elle was an innocent bystander. The gunman had been targeting two other men – Kieran Salkeld and his friend Jake Duffy – because of a feud between rival gangs on the Woodchurch and Ford estates, which lie on either side of the M53 in Wirral.

In July 2023, Chapman  was found guilty of murdering Elle Edwards after the jury deliberated for almost four hours. He was also found guilty of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of a gun and ammunition.

Chapman was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 48 years

Mr Murnaghan, said: “I’m delighted to be part of this latest series of Crimes That Shook Britain – a format that always remembers, first and foremost, to give the victims a voice through the testimony of their loved ones.

"What attracts me most to the programme is the quality and sensitivity of the storytelling. The producers – Title Role – are the best in the business regarding duty of care and narrative.

"This series examines some of the most high-profile cases of recent times – such as the murders of Brianna Ghey and Elle Edwards – many of which I reported on at the time as a news anchor. The producers have gained exclusive access to some of the investigating officers in the cases and friends and family members of the victims appearing on camera for the first time. “

Other crimes featured in the series include the case of transgender teen Brianna Ghey who was murdered for being “different” by two 15-year-olds who lured her to a Warrington Park in February 2023 before stabbing her twenty-eight times. 

West London mother of two, Shakira Spencer, was abused and treated like a slave by her neighbours before they inflicted fatal injuries and left her for dead in September 2022 and the entirely unprovoked Reading Park stabbings of James Furlong, David Wails, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett in June 2020 by a 26-year-old Libyan refugee

Helen Tonge from Title Role said: “We are incredibly proud of ‘Crimes That Shook Britain’ and what it stands for. For nine series now, we have been leading the way in telling extremely sensitive stories with integrity and respect."

Crimes That Shook Britain stars Monday, September 16 on Crime + Investigation at 9pm