Journalists Darragh MacIntyre and Allison Morris travel to Mauritius and provide fresh insight into this tragic and unsolved murder. The daughter of Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte, Michaela’s death took place shortly after her wedding and whilst she was on honeymoon with her new husband, John. She was found strangled in a bathtub in her hotel room.
Two former workers at the luxury resort where she had been staying were acquitted after a high-profile trial in the summer of 2012. To date, no one has been convicted of Michaela’s murder.
With questions having been raised by defence lawyers about alleged failings in police investigations, Darragh and Allison talk with a Detective Inspector who investigated the murder as well as the defendants, lawyers and a former Prime Minister of Mauritius.
The series includes emotional interviews with John McAreavey and Michaela’s brother Mark. It reflects their memories of Michaela, her qualities and achievements and the devastating impact of her murder.
With access to original case files, Darragh and Allison attempt to piece together what’s known about this case and assess whether the authorities are any closer to delivering justice for Michaela and her family.
Darragh MacIntryre says: “It was a total eyeopener. I thought, like many people I suspect, I knew the story of Michaela’s killing and of her family’s efforts to get justice. I was wrong. The catalogue of police investigative failings was the most striking example of the difficulties the family faced. There were many others.”
Allison Morris says: “Michaela McAreavey’s murder is a story that has always stuck with me, I left Mauritius back in 2011 with an incomplete picture of what happened to this beautiful young woman and that troubled me greatly. This documentary was a chance to go back, to explore the circumstances of her death in more detail and to find out why no one has ever been convicted of the shocking murder of the Co Tyrone newlywed.”
Murder In Paradise starts on Monday 10 April at 10.30pm on BBC One NI. The full series will be available on BBC iPlayer. Assume Nothing: Murder In Paradise, an accompanying eight-part podcast with Darragh and Allison, begins on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds on Saturday 29 April.
