Ep 3. The Murder of Alice Gross

The Murder of Alice Gross is the third episode of the New Scotland Yard Files season 1. This episode explores the mysterious and tragic death of a 14-year-old girl named Alice Gross. Alice was last seen on August 28, 2014, near the Grand Union Canal in West London. She disappeared while walking home from school, and her family became increasingly concerned when she failed to return home that evening.

The episode delves into the police investigation that followed her disappearance. The police were initially unsure of what had happened to Alice, and more than 600 officers and volunteers joined the search for her. After nearly a month of searching, Alice's body was found in the River Brent. The discovery of her body sparked a complex investigation that involved multiple agencies and officers.

The episode highlights the work that went into piecing together the evidence in Alice's case. Forensic teams were called in to examine the riverbank where her body was found, and detectives conducted extensive interviews with potential witnesses. They also examined hours of CCTV footage to try and trace Alice's movements before her disappearance.

As the investigation progressed, the police began to focus on one suspect in particular – convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns. Zalkalns had been the prime suspect early in the investigation, as he had been seen on CCTV cycling along the same stretch of canal where Alice was last seen. Despite his criminal history, Zalkalns had been living in the UK for several years and had been employed as a builder. However, a closer examination of Zalkalns' past revealed a more troubling history. He had previously been convicted of murder in his home country, Latvia, and had served several years in prison.

The episode explores the challenges of investigating a suspect with a criminal history in another country. The Met Police worked closely with Latvian authorities to try and gather information about Zalkalns' past, but this was complicated by language barriers and the differing legal systems in the two countries.

Despite the challenges, the police were eventually able to gather enough evidence to charge Zalkalns with Alice's murder. The case went to trial in 2015, and Zalkalns was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 38 years.

The Murder of Alice Gross is a chilling look at the impact of one person's actions on an entire community. The episode highlights the importance of thorough police investigation and forensic analysis in solving complex crimes. At the same time, it serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the tragic loss of a young life and the devastating impact it had on her family and loved ones.