Ep 6. Did a Viral Assault Lead to a Murder?

Did a Viral Assault Lead to a Murder? is the sixth episode of season 2 of True Life Crime, a true crime documentary series that explores real-life cases of violent crimes. In this particular episode, the show delves into a mysterious case that shocked the nation, involving a young woman who was tragically murdered after being targeted in a viral online campaign.

The episode begins by introducing the victim, Tatiana Mirutenko, a 27-year-old from California who was visiting her husband's family in Mexico City in July 2018. As she and her group of friends were leaving a restaurant in a trendy neighborhood, a car passed by and someone inside fired a gun, fatally striking Tatiana. The shooter was identified and caught, but the motive for the crime remained unclear.

The investigation begins with a look at the CCTV footage from the night of the shooting. This leads police to the main suspect, a man named Daniel, who is believed to have been present in the car at the time of the shooting. However, Daniel claims that he was not the shooter and that the real culprit is someone else entirely. He also drops a bombshell: Tatiana was not an intended target of the attack. She was simply caught in the crossfire.

As the investigation continues, the true motive behind the shooting begins to come to light. It turns out that Tatiana was the victim of a viral online campaign that had been targeting wealthy foreigners in Mexico City. The campaign, which spread rapidly on social media, encouraged locals to attack foreigners and rob them of their belongings. It was even given a name: "Mirrey Hunting," after a slang term used to describe rich, entitled young men.

Tatiana and her group of friends had unknowingly walked right into the middle of this dangerous game. They were targeted because they appeared to be wealthy and were carrying expensive handbags. The shooter, it seems, was simply looking for an easy target. Tatiana, tragically, was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The episode also explores the aftermath of the shooting and the impact it had on Tatiana's loved ones. Her husband, James, speaks candidly about his grief and how difficult it has been to come to terms with her death. He also talks about the challenges of navigating a foreign legal system, which is vastly different from the one he is used to in the United States.

Overall, Did a Viral Assault Lead to a Murder? is a haunting and thought-provoking episode of True Life Crime that showcases the dangers of social media and the ease with which perpetrators can spread hateful and violent messages. It also highlights the devastating consequences that can result from these actions and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their crimes.