Social media sleuths investigated in BBC Three’s The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok

BBC Three in the UK has commissioned true crime special The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok, to be presented by Zara McDermott.

Zara McDermott

Produced by London-based prodco Summer Films (Drag SOS), the 1×60’ documentary sees McDermott travel to the small town of Moscow, Idaho, to uncover the story of a social media frenzy.

In November 2022, Idaho University students Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were all stabbed to death.

McDermott details how every detail of the investigation into their murders was turned into social media content.

She also meets the influencers and content creators who took it upon themselves to try and identify the killer.

Executive producers are Lucy Hillman and Sam Whittaker for Summer Films. The documentary will also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.

Nasfim Haque, head of content, BBC Three, said: “With her great ability in exploring sensitive subject matters, Zara approaches this film with a deep level of care and understanding for the victims and the case as a whole.”

Lucy Hillman said: “In a world where every high-profile crime will now be scrutinised online, Zara has once again shown her ability to get inside a story with freshness, sensitivity and insight by discovering some of the ambitions and motivations behind the self-styled internet sleuths.”