Ep 3. Middlesbrough

Murdertown season 2 episode 3, titled "Middlesbrough," takes viewers to a town in the North East of England that's had a reputation for crime and violence for years. Set against the backdrop of this gritty industrial town, the episode explores three brutal murders that shocked the small community between 1997 and 2002.

The first case involves 19-year-old Rachel Wilson, who was last seen on May 31, 2002, in the red light district of Middlesbrough. Her body was discovered almost two years later, washed up on the banks of the River Tees. The episode traces Rachel's final hours, investigating the events that led to her disappearance and untimely death. It also highlights the police's failures in the investigation and how they missed crucial evidence, leaving Rachel's family without closure for years.

The second case involves 17-year-old Vicky Glass, who was reported missing on September 17, 2000. Her brutally beaten body was found on the banks of the River Tees six days later. The episode explores Vicky's life and the suspicions that surrounded those who were close to her. It also investigates the police's handling of the case and how they faced criticism over their use of sniffer dogs in the investigation.

The final case looks at 47-year-old Terry McGlade, who was found dead on December 11, 1997, in his home in Middlesbrough. Terry had been hit on the back of the head with a blunt object. The episode examines Terry's life, his family, his friends, and his colleagues, to try and piece together who might have wanted him dead and why. It also traces the protagonist of this case, Donald Stewart, and his journey from his arrival in Middlesbrough to becoming the prime suspect in the murder investigation.

Overall, the "Middlesbrough" episode of Murdertown season 2 is a chilling insight into what has been described as one of the most dangerous places in the UK. The episode delves deeper into the gritty underworld of this industrial town and lays bare the complexities of the cases that the police had to face. Through interviews with the family members, the friends, and the investigators, viewers are taken on an emotional journey that highlights the devastating impact of these murders on the people they leave behind. While the cases remain unsolved, the episode is a reminder that justice still needs to be served and that no victim should ever be forgotten.