Ep 5. Pontypridd

In the fifth episode of Murdertown season 1, the focus is on the town of Pontypridd in South Wales. The episode explores a shocking case from 2012 in which a young woman named Kirsty Grabham was murdered by her ex-husband, Paul. Kirsty had been living with her sister Karen in Pontypridd after leaving Paul, but he tracked her down and brutally killed her in her own home.

The episode begins by introducing the town of Pontypridd, a former coal-mining town with a tight-knit community. We see shots of the town's narrow streets and quaint shops as the narrator explains the area's history. The episode then shifts to Karen Grabham, Kirsty's sister, who recounts the events leading up to her sister's murder.

Karen explains that Kirsty had met Paul Grabham when she was just 16 years old. They married soon after and had two children, but their relationship was fraught with tension and violence. Kirsty finally left Paul in 2010 after enduring years of abuse, and she moved to Pontypridd to be closer to her sister.

However, Paul was not willing to let Kirsty go. He stalked her and sent her threatening messages, despite her obtaining a restraining order against him. On the night of March 23, 2012, Paul broke into Kirsty's home in Pontypridd and brutally beat her to death with a metal pole.

The rest of the episode follows the investigation and trial that followed Kirsty's murder. We see interviews with detectives who worked on the case, as well as with Kirsty's family and friends. The investigators explain how they tracked Paul down using CCTV footage, and how they pieced together the evidence against him.

The episode also explores the impact of Kirsty's murder on the town of Pontypridd. Locals talk about how the incident shook the community, and how everyone came together to support Kirsty's family. The town also held a candlelit vigil in Kirsty's memory, which is shown in the episode.

As the episode nears its end, we see Paul Grabham in court, where he is found guilty of Kirsty's murder. He is sentenced to life in prison, with the judge calling him a "cold, calculating, and brutal" man.

The episode concludes with Karen Grabham reflecting on her sister's death and how it has affected her and her family. She talks about the need for better support for victims of domestic abuse, and how Kirsty's death has spurred her to campaign for change. The episode ends with a stark reminder of Kirsty's life and death, as we see a photograph of her smiling face on the screen.

Overall, Murdertown season 1 episode 5, titled "Pontypridd," is a gripping and emotional exploration of a tragic case. The episode does an excellent job of capturing the sense of community in Pontypridd, as well as the impact that Kirsty's murder had on everyone involved. It is a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic abuse, as well as the importance of supporting victims and their families.