Ep 7. Lynchburg: the Heiress and Her Lover

City Confidential was a true crime documentary series that aired for nine seasons on A&E Network. Each episode covered a different city and a notorious crime that had occurred there, exploring the history and culture of the place as well as the details of the crime itself. Season 6 episode 7, titled "Lynchburg: The Heiress and Her Lover", tells the story of Lynchburg, Virginia and a scandalous love affair that led to murder.

The episode opens with a picturesque view of Lynchburg, a small town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is known for its history, its universities, and its role as the headquarters of the religious denomination the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But on December 30, 1983, Lynchburg became known for something else entirely.

The episode introduces us to wealthy heiress Elizabeth Haysom, who grew up in South Africa but attended college at Lynchburg's Randolph-Macon Woman's College. There, she met fellow student Jens Soering, the son of a German diplomat. Elizabeth and Jens fell in love and embarked on a secret affair, despite the disapproval of Elizabeth's parents. According to friends and classmates, Elizabeth was enamored with Jens, seeing him as a kindred spirit and a fellow outsider in the conservative and religious community of Lynchburg.

However, Elizabeth's parents, Nancy and Derek Haysom, had their own reservations about Jens. They considered him a poor match for their daughter and disapproved of his leftist political views. When Elizabeth and Jens announced that they were moving to Europe together after graduation, Nancy and Derek were furious. They forbid Elizabeth from leaving and threatened to cut her off financially.

According to the episode, this set in motion a series of events that would result in the brutal murder of Nancy and Derek Haysom. Elizabeth and Jens became increasingly desperate to escape Lynchburg and Elisabeth's parents' control. They even considered eloping, but they knew Elizabeth's parents would hire private investigators to find them. Instead, they came up with a plan to kill Nancy and Derek and make it look like a burglary gone wrong.

The episode doesn't give away all the details of the crime, but it does describe the aftermath. Elizabeth and Jens fled to Europe, where they were eventually arrested and extradited to the United States. They were both convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The case became infamous for its twists and turns, including a false confession, allegations of police misconduct, and ongoing debates over whether Jens was actually guilty.

Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of Lynchburg's history and culture. There are shots of the town's historic buildings, its lush countryside, and its bustling downtown. We hear from locals who knew Elizabeth and Jens, as well as reporters and investigators who covered the case. The episode explores the contradictions of a town that values tradition and conformity but also attracts free-thinkers and rebels like Elizabeth and Jens.

Ultimately, "Lynchburg: The Heiress and Her Lover" is a gripping true crime story that combines elements of romance, betrayal, and murder. But it's also a portrait of a small town and the tensions that can arise when outsiders come in. The episode asks us to consider how much we really know about the places we call home and the people we think we know.