Ep 4. Bluebeard

Murder Maps is a gripping true crime series that explores some of the most heinous crimes of the past. In season 5, episode 4, called Bluebeard, the focus is on one of Britain's most notorious serial killers, John George Haigh.

John Haigh was a charming man who could easily gain the trust of his victims. He lived in a time when crime investigations were not as advanced as they are today, and he exploited this fact to carry out his gruesome crimes.

The episode begins with a reenactment of Haigh's early life and how he developed a fascination with chemistry. Haigh was convinced that he could make a living by using his skills in chemistry to create a new kind of fuel, but his dreams were shattered when he was unable to secure any investment.

In the years that followed, Haigh turned to a life of crime, and he started targeting wealthy individuals who he believed could make him rich. After befriending them, he would invite them to his workshop, where he would kill them and then dissolve their bodies in barrels of sulfuric acid.

The episode takes the viewers through Haigh's modus operandi and how he evaded suspicion from the police even as more and more people went missing. The show also highlights the importance of luck in solving crimes, as it was a chance discovery of bones in a garden that finally led to Haigh's downfall.

The show employs a combination of reenactments, interviews with experts, and archival footage to paint a vivid picture of the crimes and the time in which they were committed. The narrators have a reassuring voice, and their dramatic delivery adds to the overall atmosphere of the episode.

One of the highlights of the episode is the attention given to Haigh's trial, which was one of the most sensational of the time. The episode delves into the intricacies of the trial and how Haigh tried to use his charm to sway the jury.

The episode also looks at the impact that Haigh's crimes had on the public. Haigh's actions shattered many people's belief in the justice system, and the episode examines the public's response to the case and how it helped change the way investigations were conducted.

Overall, Murder Maps season 5 episode 4, Bluebeard, is a chilling account of one of Britain's most notorious serial killers. It gives viewers an insight into Haigh's mind and how he was able to carry out his heinous crimes undetected for so long. The show is well researched, and the production values are top-notch, making it a must-watch for true crime fans.