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Series 1: 2. Searching for a Serial Killer

On 12th August 1981, Ballinderry, County Antrim, experienced a profound tragedy when nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy was abducted while cycling to a nearby friend's house.\n\nA huge search effort commenced, uniting countless local volunteers and law enforcement officers who meticulously scoured local roads, fields and woodlands in a desperate quest to find her. Tragically, six days later, Jennifer's lifeless body was discovered submerged in a pond. The post-mortem revealed a horrifying truth: she had not only been murdered but also sexually assaulted. Despite the exhaustive search and grim discovery, the case reached a dead end. No credible suspect emerged, and justice remained elusive. \n\nFor over two decades, the case remained unsolved. Then, in 2002, it was reopened and Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray led the investigation. His focus turned to a series of similar crimes in 1980s Britain. The conviction of Robert Black for the murders of three young girls led Detective Murray to consider whether Black could have been responsible for Jennifer's murder.\n\nUncovering the truth was a monumental task. Detective Murray and his team had to sift through over 20 tonnes of paper evidence collected by three different police forces.\n\nThroughout this challenging process, Jennifer's father, Andy Cardy, grappled with the heart-wrenching reality of losing his daughter. Sitting in the courtroom, he bore the weight of listening to damning evidence against the man eventually convicted of her murder. Yet, Andy also offers a powerful insight into human resilience, revealing how his faith helped him overcome the all-too-human instincts of hatred and the desire for revenge. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, he found a path towards healing and forgiveness.

Source: BBC 1