Murder in the Family is a brutal true crime documentary series spanning across three episodes, each delving into its own shocking murder investigation.
Using police evidence and harrowing real life footage, the series shows the police investigation from start to finish in heart-breaking investigations that rocked a community.
Despite being first released back in 2023, true crime fanatics are tuning in to the “shocking” series that can be streamed on ITVX in full.
Telling the story of seemingly ordinary relationships that result in tragic consequences, the documentary explores the most burning questions of “how and why”.
ITV teases: “Explore three shocking British murders in this haunting crime doc. Told by those closest to the tragic events, discover the killers’ motives behind their fatal acts.”
The first episode plunges viewers into the shocking case of Cheryl Hooper as ITV penned: “Cheryl Hooper is shot dead by her husband – using shocking police evidence and intimate family footage, this documentary explores how and why.”
Many viewers have dubbed the series as a must watch. Previously taking to TikTok, one true crime fan said: “Guys, if you’re looking for something good to watch then watch Murder in the Family, it’s on ITVX, there’s three episodes and it’s absolutely brilliant. Very sad, but brilliant.”
In a separate video, another said recently they have discovered a whole host of true crime content available to stream on ITVX. They added: “I don’t know why I’ve never really looked through it properly before, but there’s actually loads and loads of true crime documentaries and I watched one of them this weekend.
“It was genuinely one of the most heartbreaking but I felt like I was watching it through the eyes of the victims. And I would highly recommend giving it a go.
“It’s called Murder in the Family, I think it was maybe released in 2022 so you might have seen it but I don’t remember watching it.”
They later continued: “I would check trigger warnings on this because it’s really, really sad and quite detailed and in some parts graphic I suppose you could say, but it’s such a focus on the victims, the victims families…”
In another video, one person commented: “The third one is shocking, really bad”, as another wrote: “This was wild.”
One IMDB reviewer echoed: “This is the human side of the effects of horrific crimes, and it’s extremely well presented. Of course, that makes it gut wrenching to watch.”
Murder in the Family is available to stream on ITVX.
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
A camera mounted on the wingtip of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot close air support jet recorded the dramatic demise of the aircraft, after it was reportedly struck by a Russian long-range air-to-air missile. This is not the first time in the Ukrainian conflict that we’ve seen the destruction of a combat jet at such close quarters. However, with the death of the pilot confirmed by Ukrainian authorities, the footage is a sobering reminder of the huge risks faced by aircrew in some of the most lethal airspace in history.
The loss of a Ukrainian Su-25. The aircraft was hit by an R-37 missile; the responsibility likely lies with either a MiG-31BM or a Su-35S fighter, as these are the types that typically patrol with such long-range missiles. The pilot lost his life during the action. Blue skies to… pic.twitter.com/lNXZPuzHXS
The footage in question was apparently captured by a GoPro or similar camera mounted under the starboard wing of the Su-25, which was flying straight and level when engaged. The first indication that the Frogfoot has been hit is a flash and a shower of sparks, and the suggestion that the cockpit canopy may have been partly torn away. Then, one of its external fuel tanks is seen breaking away. The aircraft starts to cartwheel through the sky, its fuselage clearly ripped open, evidenced by the exposed main landing gear. The wing-mounted camera continues to record the plane breaking up, including the forward fuselage and cockpit, now separated from the fuselage, which is burning fiercely. The wing spirals to the ground, with the sequence ending with a black column of smoke in the near distance.
A bright flash is the first sign that the jet has been struck. via XA shower of sparks is visible in this screencap, which also suggests that the cockpit canopy has been partially torn away by the impact. via X
There is less than 20 seconds from the first signs of impact to the wing lying on the ground, motionless, and an indication of just how quickly the pilot’s fate was sealed. Provided they weren’t killed or incapacitated in the initial impact, there was very little time to activate his Zvezda K-36 ejection seat, if that was even an option, given the catastrophic damage.
The still-retracted main landing gear is visible in this capture. via XThe front fuselage section tumbles away, as seen at bottom center in this view. via X
The specific Su-25 carried the tactical number ‘21 Blue.’ It was reportedly at the controls of this jet that Ukrainian Air Force pilot Stanislav Rykov, from the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade, was killed during a sortie on February 7, 2024. Rykov was described as one of the more experienced ground-attack pilots in the force, with 385 combat sorties to his name.
Soon after his death, fellow Ukrainian Air Force pilot Rostyslav Lazarenko posted on Facebook. “My heart was ripped out yesterday.” He added that Rykov “was the best pilot and commander I knew.”
Ukrainian Air Force pilot Stanislav Rykov in his jet. Ukrainian Air Force
The exact whereabouts of Rykov’s loss were not reported by the Ukrainian side, although a Russian Ministry of Defense briefing stated that a Ukrainian Su-25 was destroyed on the same date, close to the settlement of Novotroitske, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Exactly why the video only began to circulate in public now is not clear.
Multiple unconfirmed accounts suggest that the weapon responsible for bringing the Su-25 down was an R-37M, a long-range air-to-air missile with the Western codename AA-13 Axehead. The missile is mainly used by Su-35S Flanker multirole fighters and MiG-31BM Foxhound interceptors.
A Su-35S fires an R-37M missile. Russian Ministry of Defense screencap Russian Ministry of Defense
With a range of 124 miles, it flies to the target on a lofted trajectory, controlled by an inertial navigation system with mid-course radio correction, and uses an active radar seeker for its terminal phase attack. It has been a key threat to the Ukrainian Air Force since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Speaking to TWZ before his death in a 2023 flying accident, Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov said that the R-37M, typically fired from within Russian airspace, was “limiting our capabilities to conduct our missions. Of course, if you’re maneuvering, we are not able to provide an airstrike or something else, so the game is still very, very, very tough in the air and very, very risky. If you’re not aware of the launch of a missile, you’re dead.”
Once again, we don’t know for sure that an R-37M was involved in this incident, but it’s certainly a strong possibility. On the other hand, there is no shortage of other Russian air-to-air missiles and ground-based air defense systems that present a very serious hazard to Ukrainian tactical aviation.
The Su-25 is particularly vulnerable due to the high-risk envelope in which it operates and its performance. This is reflected in the documented losses of 22 examples in Ukrainian hands. That figure is almost certainly higher since it only comprises losses that can be confirmed visually.
Soon after the start of the conflict, Ukrainian Su-25s adopted loft tactics to add extra range to their unguided rockets. By the summer of 2024, stockpiles of unguided rockets were reportedly exhausted, but adding the French-made Hammer rocket-assisted bomb has provided much greater standoff reach and a much harder-hitting weapon specifically adapted for low-altitude launch profiles.
A Ukrainian Su-25 launches a French-supplied Hammer rocket-boosted precision-guided munition. Ukrainian Air Force screencap
Since the full-scale invasion began, the Su-25 has been heavily utilized by both sides. Confirmed Russian Su-25 losses amount to 41 — the highest for any fixed-wing tactical type.
People look at the tail section of a Russian Su-25SM near the military museum in Kyiv. The aircraft was shot down by the Ukrainian military on March 2, 2022, in the Kyiv region. Photo by Sergei Chuzavkov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images SOPA Images
At least one Russian Su-25 loss has also been filmed from on board, in this case, in dramatic headcam footage from the pilot, who survived. You can see that video below and read more about it here.
Катапультирование из Су-25 глазами лётчика.
While videos like these might look like something from a combat flight sim, they are all too real. This latest one to be released reflects the brutal realities of life — and death — for tactical aviation pilots over and around the frontlines of Ukraine.
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy tells the terrifying story of the American serial killer, spanning across eight episodes. Having first been released in the US last year, it will today (January 30) be released on ITV and ITVX.
It has been teased: “Prepare to take a deep dive into the mind and life of one of America’s most notorious serial killers with this drama that tells the terrifying story of John Wayne Gacy.
“From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered, and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer’s house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why? He was charming and funny.
“Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He even volunteered to entertain sick kids… while dressed as a clown.
“Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of Gacy’s life while weaving in heartrending stories of his victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends; and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities, and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.”
The series has already been a hit with viewers, as one person said: “Honestly, one of the most harrowing and distressing things I’ve ever seen. Each episode takes time to honour and bring back to life one or more of the victims.”
Is Devil in Disguise based on a true story?
Yes, the ITV drama is based on the true story of the notorious American serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who murdered young men and boys in the 1970s. Although a dramatisation of his life and crimes, it is based on real-life events that occurred.
Known as the Killer Clown, because Gacy often dressed as one when volunteering at various events, he targeted young men and sexually assaulted many of them before killing them. And he went untraced from 1972 to 1978.
Across a six-year spree, Gacy murdered 33 young men before burying them in a mass grave under his own home in Chicago. Leading a double life, Gacy had a fascination with clowns, often using that persona to lure his victims.
But it wasn’t until 1978 that he was arrested and confessed to the crimes. His arrest came after the disappearance of teenager Robert Piest, who was Gacy’s final victim, which led authorities to suspect Gacy.
In 1980, he was convicted of killing 33 young men and sentenced to death before receiving the lethal injection at the age of 52 in 1994.
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy airs tonight at 9pm on ITV.
