Crime documentary Murder Case commissioned by BBC Scotland for a new series
The two new cases which will feature in the 2025 TV and BBC iPlayer series will be:
Tony Parsons – The Vanishing Cyclist (2x60). In September 2017, whilst on a 104-mile charity cycle, 63-year-old grandfather Tony Parsons from Tillicoultry was killed by a drunk driver on the A82 near Bridge of Orchy and secretly buried in a shallow grave. Alexander 'Sandy' McKellar and his twin brother Robert hid Tony's body on a remote estate in the southern Highlands. Tony's body went undiscovered for three years until Sandy confided in his new girlfriend about the killing and took her to the burial site. She was able to pinpoint the remote location to the police by dropping a soft drink can into the ground.
Lucretia 'Kiesha' Donaghy (1x60). Mother-of-two Lucretia 'Kiesha' Donaghy, 32, was found dead at her home in Elgin in November 2023. Keisha was bludgeoned with a weapon in the fatal attack and her friend Owen Grant, 43, was later arrested. After murdering the defenceless and unarmed Kiesha, Owen went on a spending spree, spending hundreds of pounds on cocaine. At the murder trial at Edinburgh's High Court in 2025, the Judge Lord Scott described the attack as 'exceptionally savage, frenzied and brutal'.
The forthcoming new series of Murder Case (3x60) features interviews with the families of the victims, the media who covered the cases as well as the police who brought the perpetrators to justice. Further Murder Case series are planned for 2026 and will be announced in 2026.
David Harron, Commissioning Executive, Factual at BBC Scotland says: 'Murder Case is one of our most important brands at BBC Scotland and is hugely popular with the audience. Through its exceptional access to the Major Investigations Team of Police Scotland it has provided the audience with a real insight into the work of detectives on these cases.'
Vari Innes, Executive Producer at Firecrest Films says: 'Filmed over the course of two years from investigation to trial, with the support of Tony and Kiesha's families, these new cases offer unparalleled access to Police Scotland's Major Investigations Team, following their quest for answers and justice for the victims and their families. We are proud and privileged to be entrusted with sensitively bringing these harrowing cases to light.'
BBC Scotland's crime documentaries continue to draw significant audiences in Scotland and across the UK. Both the Murder Trial and Murder Case series feature in the Top 10 'most requested' documentary titles of 2025 on BBC iPlayer with combined audience of nearly 3m streaming requests. The Hunt for Peter Tobin is currently in the Top 20 'most requested' of 2025 with over 1.1m streaming requests on BBC iPlayer.
This year, the Top 3 'most viewed' BBC crime documentaries have been Murder Trial: Girl in the River, Murder Trial: Body in the Warehouse and Murder Case: The Hunt for Mary McLaughlin's Killer. All three documentaries are currently available on BBC iPlayer.
The Murder Case series are commissioned and executive produced by David Harron for BBC Scotland and Vari Innes is the Executive Producer for Firecrest Films.
Watch Murder Case on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist
Watch The Hunt for Peter Tobin on BBC iPlayer
Watch Murder Trial on BBC iPlayer
JM2
Follow for more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Trump news at a glance: president dismisses continued Epstein and Maxwell furore as ‘not a big thing'
Donald Trump continued to face questions about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein as he landed in Scotland ahead of meeting British prime minister Keir Starmer and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The US president denied reports that he was briefed about his name appearing in the Epstein files after landing on Friday evening local time. He was also asked about the justice department's questioning of Ghislaine Maxwell and suggestions he might offer her clemency. Trump: 'I don't know anything about the conversation, I haven't really been following it.' 'A lot of people have been asking me about pardons [for Maxwell]. Obviously, this is no time to be talking about pardons' he went on. 'You're making a very big thing over something that's not a big thing.' Here are the key US politics stories today: The furore over Donald Trump's ties with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continued on Friday as new revelations about the pair's relationship threatened to mire the president's golfing trip to Scotland, where he arrived late on Friday. After landing at Glasgow Prestwick airport at about 8.30pm local time, the US president denied reports that he had been briefed about his name appearing in files pertaining to the case against the late Epstein. He also said he had not 'really been following' the justice department's interview with Epstein's convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Read the full story The EU appears to be on the verge of signing a trade deal with Donald Trump after the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, announced she would meet the US president on Sunday during his four-day trip to Scotland. Trump landed in Scotland on Friday evening before the opening of his new golf course in Aberdeenshire. He said he was also planning to meet the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, on Saturday. Read the full story The deputy US attorney general, Todd Blanche, held a second in-person meeting on Friday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker and longtime associate of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche had confirmed the two met behind closed doors in Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday, at the federal prosecutor's office within the federal courthouse in the state capital, and they met again on Friday. Read the full story Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio was driving to his landscaping job with his mother and two male friends when they were pulled over by the Florida highway patrol. In one swift moment, a traffic stop turned into a violent arrest. Video of the incident captured by Laynez-Ambrosio, an 18-year-old US citizen, appears to show a group of officers in tactical gear working together to violently detain the three men. The video has put fresh scrutiny on the harsh tactics used by US law enforcement officials as the Trump administration sets ambitious enforcement targets to detain thousands of immigrants every day. Read the full story The White House has announced that it will release $5.5bn in frozen education funds back to US states. That announcement came on Friday after Donald Trump's administration decided to abruptly withhold the congressionally approved funds a day before their 1 July release for the 2025-26 school year. South Park co-creator Trey Parker had the briefest response to anger from the White House over this season's premiere, which showed a naked Trump in bed with Satan. Two high-ranking officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were placed on administrative leave on Friday, fueling speculation that the Trump administration was retaliating against them for actions taken during the president's first term. Catching up? Here's what happened on 24 July 2025.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Now that even South Park is mocking Trump over Epstein, he knows he's facing a scandal he can't control: ANDREW NEIL
Donald Trump touched down in Scotland last night, the controversy swirling around the so-called ' Jeffrey Epstein files' in such hot pursuit that it threatens to disturb what is essentially a five-day golfing holiday and plunge him into something of a pickle. The President's MAGA base of true believers refuses to accept the official reasons why the files on the late notorious paedophile can't be made public.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Trump says it's ‘no time to be talking about pardons' for Ghislaine Maxwell as he lands in Scotland ahead of UK and EU talks
Update: Date: 2025-07-25T22:32:08.000Z Title: Ghislaine Maxwell Content: US president tells reporters 'don't talk about Trump' in relation to Jeffrey Epstein furore as he is due to visit golf course and meet leaders Epstein revelations threaten to derail Trump's trip to Scotland Robert Mackey (now); Lucy Campbell, Maya Yang and Shannon Ho (earlier) Sat 26 Jul 2025 00.32 CEST First published on Fri 25 Jul 2025 13.45 CEST From 9.58pm CEST 21:58 Speaking to reporters at Prestwick airport, Trump denied reports that he was briefed about his name appearing in the Epstein files. Asked about the justice department's questioning of , Trump said: 'I don't know anything about the conversation, I haven't really been following it.' 'A lot of people have been asking me about pardons [for Maxwell]. Obviously, this is no time to be talking about pardons' he went on. 'You're making a very big thing over something that's not a big thing.' He then deflects further, suggesting the media should talk about Clinton and the ex-president of Harvard, but 'don't talk about Trump'. Updated at 10.03pm CEST 12.32am CEST 00:32 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) is preparing to send $608 million to states to construct immigrant detention centers as part of the Trump administration's push to expand capacity to hold migrants. The funds from Fema's 'detention support grant program' cover the cost to states and local governments building temporary facilities, according to an agency grant description. The agency has been accepting applications for funding since 9 July and states have until 8 August to apply for the funds, according to the grant description posted online. The Trump administration has been encouraging states to build their own facilities to detain migrants. This program provides a way for the administration to help states pay for it. The funds will be distributed by Fema in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection, according to the agency. Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, said on Friday that the state would apply for Fema reimbursement to pay for its new Everglades immigrant detention center it calls 'Alligator Alcatraz.' The facility will cost an estimated $450 million annually, according to homeland security officials. Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, has said her department will tap Fema's $650-million shelter and services program to fund Florida's facility. Congress during the Biden administration directed the department, which includes Fema, to distribute the money to state and local governments to cover the cost of sheltering migrants. That funding stream was separate from money Congress set aside for Fema to cover disaster relief. 'Secretary Noem has been very clear that the funding for Alligator Alcatraz can be a blueprint for other states and local governments to assist with detention,' a Fema spokesperson told Reuters. The grant program began accepting applications just days after lawyers for the department argued in court that the federal government could not be sued over Alligator Alcatraz because no funds from Fema had been used to pay for it and 'DHS has not implemented, authorized, directed, or funded Florida's temporary detention center'. News of the new Fema grants for detention facilities came as Maryland's Democratic governor, Wes Moore vowed to take Donald Trump to court after the president denied the governor's request for Fema disaster assistance relief following massive floods in May, calling it 'not warranted'. 'It's an insult to Marylanders and the community still suffering in the aftermath of this storm,' Moore said in a video response to the decision he posted on social media. In recent weeks, Trump has boasted of approving Fema funds to flood victims in Texas and other Republican-run states that voted for him in the 2024 election. 11.23pm CEST 23:23 Donald Trump has arrived at his Turnberry golf resort on the coast of Ayrshire, in south-west Scotland. His motorcade, escorted by Police Scotland vehicles and ambulance crews, drove past a small group of protesters, and at least one supporter. While Trump has spoken fondly of Scotland, where his mother was born and raised, the country has not always returned his warmth. During a previous visit, in 2018, Trump was greeted at his Turnberry resort by a Greenpeace activist who paraglided directly over his head trailing a banner that read: 'Trump: Well Below Par'. Ahead of his visit, one local newspaper, the National, which supports independence for Scotland, ran a preview of the visit with the headline: 'Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland – Republican leader, who was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, will visit golf courses'. Tomorrow's front page📰 Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland 10.52pm CEST 22:52 In his remarks to reporters at Prestwick airport earlier, Donald Trump was asked about his scheduled talks with UK prime minister Keir Starmer, which the White House has used to portray his mainly golf-themed truip as a working visit. 'Can you explain', a reporter asked Trump on the tarmac outside Air Force One, 'what is missing in the UK deal that you have to work out?' 'Nothing', Trump replied. 'I think it's more of a celebration than a workout. It's a great deal for both, and we're going to have a meeting on other things, other than the deal. The deal is concluded'. Trump previously suggested that the talks were to 'refine' the US-UK trade deal. Starmer told Bloomberg News in an interview on Thursday that the UK is still pressing for 'full implementation' of the deal with the US. The sticking point appears to be that while Trump agreed to cut US tariffs on steel imports from the UK that currently stand at 25%, the tariffs have not yet been lifted. 10.21pm CEST 22:21 Chris Stein In response to the House ethics committee's report into Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's attendance of the Met Gala four years ago, her chief of staff Mike Casca said: 'The Congresswoman appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance with House Rules and sought to act consistently with her ethical requirements as a Member of the House. She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as she's done at each step in this process.' 10.07pm CEST 22:07 Chris Stein The House ethics committee has ordered progressive Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to pay nearly $3,000 to resolve an investigation into her attendance of the 2021 Met Gala in New York City. The inquiry began in 2022 following an allegation that Ocasio-Cortez accepted impermissible gifts when she attended the annual gala wearing a white floor-length gown with 'Tax the Rich' written on the back. In its bipartisan report released today, the ethics committee determined that despite making 'significant attempts' to comply with congressional rules around accepting gifts, Ocasio-Cortez failed to do so 'fully' by 'impermissibly' accepting free admission to the gala for her partner, and did not pay full market price for some of what she wore to the event. The committee found that a former campaign staff member tried to lower the congresswoman's costs for attending the gala and made late payments to vendors involved. While it faulted Ocasio-Cortez for not properly supervising the staffer, the committee 'did not find evidence that she intended to seek to lower the cost of goods provided to her or to delay payment for those goods and other services received.' The committee determined that they will close the matter and Ocasio-Cortez will not face sanctions if she donates the $250 cost of her partner's meal, and pays $2,733.28 to the designer from which she rented the dress and accessories. 10.05pm CEST 22:05 Sam Levine A former Department of Justice lawyer has provided evidence to a justice department watchdog corroborating explosive claims that Emil Bove and other top officials wilfully and knowingly defied court orders, according to Whistleblower Aid, a non-profit representing the person. A top department official and Donald Trump's former defense attorney, Bove is currently being considered for a lifetime seat on the federal bench. Whistleblower Aid said it was not identifying its client. They said the person had turned over ' substantive, internal DoJ documents' to the justice department's inspector general. The evidence, the organization said, corroborate allegations from Erez Reuveni, a fired DoJ employee, who has publicly said that Bove told DoJ lawyers to defy the courts. 'What we're seeing here is something I never thought would be possible on such a wide scale: federal prosecutors appointed by the Trump Administration intentionally presenting dubious if not outright false evidence to a court of jurisdiction in cases that impact a person's fundamental rights not only under our constitution, but their natural rights as humans,' said Andrew Bakaj, chief counsel at Whistleblower Aid. 'Our client and Mr Reuveni are true patriots – prioritizing their commitment to democracy over advancing their careers.' Updated at 10.34pm CEST 10.01pm CEST 22:01 Trump also said a trade deal with the European Union would be a big agreement and repeated his view that there was a 'good 50-50 chance' for it. 'With the European Union, we have a good 50-50 chance,' he told reporters. 'That would be the biggest deal of them all if we make it.' He is due to meet with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday to discuss trade. Updated at 10.08pm CEST 9.58pm CEST 21:58 Speaking to reporters at Prestwick airport, Trump denied reports that he was briefed about his name appearing in the Epstein files. Asked about the justice department's questioning of , Trump said: 'I don't know anything about the conversation, I haven't really been following it.' 'A lot of people have been asking me about pardons [for Maxwell]. Obviously, this is no time to be talking about pardons' he went on. 'You're making a very big thing over something that's not a big thing.' He then deflects further, suggesting the media should talk about Clinton and the ex-president of Harvard, but 'don't talk about Trump'. Updated at 10.03pm CEST 9.53pm CEST 21:53 The US president was greeted by Scottish secretary Ian Murray as he walked off Air Force One at Prestwick airport. The pair could be seen shaking hands at the bottom of the aircraft stairs before Donald Trump walked across to a group of journalists to answer questions. 9.32pm CEST 21:32 Air Force One has just landed in Scotland. I'll bring you any key lines here if Donald Trump speaks to the media. Updated at 9.34pm CEST 9.24pm CEST 21:24 Disgraced former US representative George Santos reported to a federal prison in New Jersey earlier today to begin serving a seven-year sentence for the fraud charges that got him ousted from Congress. The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to the Associated Press that the New York Republican was in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey. Santos pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people's identities in order to fund his congressional campaign. Lawyers for Santos didn't respond to phone and email messages seeking comment. The ever-online Santos, 37, hosted a farewell party for himself on X last night. 'Well, darlings … The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,' he wrote in a post afterwards. 'From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it's been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried … most days.' In a Thursday interview with Al Arabiya, a Saudi state-owned news organization, Santos said he'll serve his sentence in a minimum-security prison 'camp' that he described as a 'big upgrade' from the medium-security lockup he was initially assigned to. In April, a federal judge declined to give Santos a lighter two-year sentence that he sought, saying she was unconvinced he was truly remorseful. In the weeks before his sentencing, Santos said he was 'profoundly sorry' for his crimes, but he also complained frequently that he was a victim of a political witch hunt and prosecutorial overreach. Santos lied extensively about his life story both before and after entering the US Congress, where he was the first openly LGBTQ+ Republican elected to the body. He was ultimately convicted of defrauding donors. He has apparently been holding out hope that his unwavering support for Donald Trump might help him win a last-minute reprieve. The White House said this week that it 'will not comment on the existence or nonexistence' of any clemency request. Updated at 10.32pm CEST 8.57pm CEST 20:57 A senior justice department official has told NBC News that attorney general Pam Bondi is still healing from a torn cornea, but it has not prevented her from doing day-to-day work and meeting with staff. The update comes after Bondi abruptly canceled a scheduled appearance on Wednesday at CPAC's anti-trafficking summit in Washington, citing recovery from a health issue. As all the political firestorm over the Epstein saga continues to dominate the news cycle and consume Washington, there has been much online chatter about Bondi's whereabouts. She was last seen on Tuesday morning swearing in the new DEA administrator Terry Cole at the justice department. 8.09pm CEST 20:09 NewsNation reports that following the conclusion of the DOJ interviews, David Oscar Markus, 's attorney, said they were 'very grateful' for the opportunity. Markus said: This was a thorough, comprehensive interview by the deputy attorney general. No person and no topic were off-limits. We are very grateful. The truth will come out. 8.07pm CEST 20:07 Some more detail on that from the Tallahassee Democrat. David Oscar Markus, 's attorney declined to say whether Donald Trump was the focus of any of the Department of Justice's questions during the interviewing sessions that have taken place behind closed doors at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee over the last two days. 'I'm just not going to talk about the substance,' Markus said. Deputy attorney general Todd Blanche had asked Maxwell 'every possible question', Markus said. 'He did a really good job and asked her a lot of things.' Updated at 8.20pm CEST
