chilling

The three part series has recently been added to BBC iPlayer as true crime fans say it is ‘well worth a watch’

A “mind blowing” true crime documentary with a twist fans do not see coming, is now available to stream online for free.

The mini series, titled Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story, was first released on Disney Plus and Hulu back in 2022 as it follows the real life story of a seven year old boy who suddenly vanishes from his home in California.

Named Steven Stayner, he miraculously returns seven years later, sparking a media sensation, but where had he been? Spanning across three episodes, the documentary is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer as it has been dubbed the perfect watch for fans of true crime.

A BBC synopsis reads: “A story that captivated a nation – and destroyed a family. A boy missing for seven years miraculously returns home, but it wasn’t the Hollywood ending it seemed to be.”

The three-part series plunges viewers back to 1972 when the unusual kidnapping case first came to light. It then explores his return as well as the family being thrust back into media headlines decades later.

Featuring heartbreaking accounts from family members, including Steven’s daughter and mother, fans have also admitted they were not expecting the revelations made in the third episodes.

Viewers may also recognise a TV film titled I Know My Name is Steven, which was released in 1989, also exploring the same case.

The documentary has been branded a must watch for fans of the genre as one person said in a TikTok video: “It’s really good, well worth a watch.”

Another commented: “I watched the three episodes of Captive Audience last night and OMG I never dreamed of what was coming in episode 3.”

A third added: “I was fascinated watching Captive Audience. It was shocking and sad.”

In another video, recommending the documentary, one viewer said: “You will want to watch it because it is a mind blowing story.

“It’s a really fascinating documentary. If you haven’t watched it already, I would definitely recommend it.”

Another commented: “It’s absolutely mad, very sad as well.” A third echoed: “It’s a heartbreaking real life story from beginning to end.”

Over on Facebook, one user said: “A heartbreaking and chilling story about trauma, survival, and the long shadow of tragedy.”

An IMDB reviewer said: “This documentary is heart breaking and captivating. To learn what this kid went through and his own heroic act to save another child, is mind blowing.”

Another added: “I loved this story and the way it was told. It is not often in true crime that we get to see the family and friends and how their lives have been impacted by the crime.”

Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus.

A new documentary has been announced by 5, revealing the devastating impact of a crime that shook two continents

A chilling documentary has been confirmed after a devastating crime, and it will likely leave fans in tears.

5 has announced a compelling two-part documentary series, Trial By Jury: The Killing of Claire Leveque, which offers exclusive access to the murder trial at the Edinburgh High Court that followed the tragic death of the 24-year-old Canadian. The series will also feature Claire’s family as they faced the “harrowing” days of the trial and beyond.

Claire was brutally killed by her boyfriend while living on the Shetland Islands in 2023. Filmed with rare in-court camera access, granted by the Lord Justice General, the chilling events surrounding Claire’s murder will be examined across two hour-long episodes.

The instalments will reveal the “horrific details that shook a close-knit island community in Shetland and left a family in North America heartbroken.”

The case also highlights the profound toll of intimate partners violence, and the challenges of uncovering domestic abuse in rural areas.

Using a fixed in-court rig, Trial By Jury follows the eight-day trial that led to a unanimous guilty verdict and a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for Claire’s boyfriend, Aren Pearson.

Judge Lord Arthurson previously described the crime as “a sustained episode of feral butchery”, while paying tribute to the “dignity and restraint” shown by Claire’s family, who travelled from Canada to attend every day of proceedings.

A synopsis for the documentary reads: “From Claire’s small Canadian hometown to the windswept Shetland village where she lived in near-isolation, the documentary pieces together her final months through testimony, archive footage and investigative reporting.

“The series also follows [Claire’s father] Clint and his fiancée, Jenny, as they make an emotional journey to the island to confront their grief.”

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In a statement, Claire’s heartbroken dad, Clint, said: “My little girl was stolen from me. I’ll never get to hug her again, hear her laugh or see her smile. I’ll never see the woman she would have become. She’ll never have the chance to be a mother or grandmother, or to know the love a parent has for their child and know that is the love I have for her.”

Gary Davies, consultant editor for commissioning at 5, added: “This thoughtful series gives a deeply human account of an unimaginable tragedy. It shines a light on the justice process and honours the courage of Claire’s family as they seek truth and remembrance.”

Mark Procter, executive producer for Big Little Fish, echoed the sentiment, saying: “We are profoundly grateful to the Judicial Office for Scotland and to everyone who enabled our access to the trial.

“Above all, we are honoured that the Leveque family have entrusted us to document what happened to Claire. We hope this series serves as a respectful tribute – giving her the voice that was so cruelly taken from her.”

Trial By Jury: The Killing of Claire Leveque will be released on 5

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge, New Beginnings Peer Support and Women’s Aid can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247