Ep 2. Dartford

In Murdertown season 1 episode 2, viewers are taken to Dartford, a small town on the outskirts of London. The episode focuses on the case of Claire Tiltman, a 16-year-old girl who was brutally murdered on her way to a friend's house in 1993.

Through interviews with family members, friends, and law enforcement officials involved in the case, viewers learn about the shock and horror that the community felt in the wake of the crime. Tiltman's family members recount the terror of realizing that their beloved daughter and sister had been taken from them, and the ongoing trauma of not knowing who was responsible.

As investigators combed through evidence and interviewed potential suspects, the community was on edge. Numerous false leads led to frustrating dead-ends, and Tiltman's killer remained at large for decades.

Viewers also learn about the primary suspect in the case, Colin Ash-Smith. Ash-Smith was a former acquaintance of Tiltman's, and his behavior in the wake of the murder was suspicious. However, investigators were unable to put together a solid enough case to bring him to justice at the time.

In the years that followed, Tiltman's family never gave up hope that her killer would be found. They remained dedicated to keeping her memory alive and pushing for justice, even as the case grew colder.

The episode then takes viewers through the breakthroughs that finally led to Ash-Smith's arrest and conviction in 2014. Through interviews with investigators and prosecutors, viewers learn about the painstaking work that went into building a case against him and ultimately securing a conviction.

Overall, the episode is a gripping exploration of the impact of violent crime on a small community, and the dedication of law enforcement officials and families in pursuit of justice.