BBC iPlayer's gripping new documentary, Killer Couple: Love on Trial, investigates the harrowing true crime case of Rachel Fulstow and Michael Hillier, who were convicted of the murder of Liam Smith in Wigan. The documentary, fronted by Layla Wright and commissioned by BBC Current Affairs, delves into one of the most thought-provoking criminal cases of recent years.
The Crime and Convictions
In 2023, Michael Hillier and Rachel Fulstow were sentenced to a combined total of 63 years in prison for the killing of Liam Smith in November 2022. Hillier was found guilty of murder and handed a 33-year sentence, while Fulstow was convicted of both murder and perverting the course of justice, receiving a 30-year prison term. The documentary scrutinises how Fulstow came to be sentenced despite being 100 miles away from the scene of the crime.
Background of the Case
The BBC teased: "In 2019, Rachel Fulstow went on a Tinder date with Liam Smith. They spent the night together and apart from a few messages after - they never saw each other again. Four years later, Rachel was standing in the dock... accused of his murder. Beside her was her new boyfriend, Michael Hillier - the man who admitted pulling the trigger, as part of a plan he says he and Rachel came up with." Layla Wright investigates how someone can be sentenced to life for a murder they didn't physically commit.
Behind the headlines of the 'Killer Couple' case, Layla uncovers the chain of events that ended in a brutal killing in Wigan, travelling across the country and speaking to people on different sides of the story. Who all had something different to say...
Victim Impact
During the court case, in a victim impact statement read out, Mr Smith's mother, Julia, said the murder had turned her family's world "upside down". "We are completely broken by this senseless and fatal act on such a kind natured man," his mother said. "He was a devoted father who worked hard to give his sons the best possible future. I cannot return to work because I'm haunted by the initial phone call saying he was missing. Nobody could get in contact with him. Me and his younger son went to find him and found a white tent, where he had been lying for 24 hours. I constantly think of things he will miss out on. We will never be able to fill this massive void in our lives."
Where to Watch
As well as airing on BBC iPlayer, the documentary will be available on BBC deepwatch's YouTube site, which also features documentaries with the likes of Chloe Ayling and Zara McDermott. Killer Couple: Love on Trial will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
