A harrowing true crime documentary that delves into one of the UK's most shocking murder cases has just been added to Netflix's streaming library. 'Who Killed Lin and Megan: The Chillenden Murders' revisits the brutal 1996 attack that left a mother and her young daughter dead, sending devastating ripples through a quiet Kent community.
The Crime That Shocked a Nation
In July 1996, Lin Russell, aged 45, was walking down a country lane in Chillenden, Kent, with her two daughters. Nine-year-old Josie and six-year-old Megan were with their mother, accompanied by the family dog, Lucy. They were accosted by a man who proceeded to tie them up before launching a savage hammer attack.
The assault claimed the lives of Lin, Megan, and their dog. Miraculously, Josie survived the onslaught despite suffering severe head injuries. The sheer brutality of the crime, targeting a family in a peaceful rural setting, sent shockwaves across the nation and left the local village reeling.
Investigation, Conviction, and Controversy
The police investigation led to the arrest of Michael Stone, then 37, a year later in 1997. He was convicted of the double murder and the attempted murder of Josie. Stone received three life sentences with a minimum tariff of 25 years.
However, his conviction has been a source of persistent controversy. Stone has continually protested his innocence, and his legal team has mounted several appeals. In 2005, he lost a second appeal against his conviction. Later, in 2011, his lawyers were refused permission to seek a judicial review of a decision not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
Adding a further layer of complexity, serial killer Levi Bellfield confessed to the murders in 2022, only to later retract his admission. Meanwhile, Stone's case has been under active investigation by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) since 2017. The Commission has yet to decide whether to refer it back for another appeal.
A Case Re-examined on Screen
The documentary, originally produced for Channel 5 in 2023 and directed by Pierre Thiebaut, meticulously unpacks the complex narrative of the investigation and its aftermath. It presents the grim facts of the case while highlighting the ongoing legal battles and unanswered questions that continue to surround it.
The film concludes by noting that Michael Stone remains behind bars and that his legal team continues to work to overturn his conviction. Its arrival on Netflix introduces this deeply troubling chapter of British criminal history to a vast new global audience, ensuring the search for answers—and justice for the victims—remains in the public consciousness.
'Who Killed Lin and Megan: The Chillenden Murders' is available to stream on Netflix now.
