ITVX has released a new true crime documentary series, Look Into My Eyes, which investigates the deaths of three students who were hypnotised by their high school principal.
The four-part series, which first aired in the US three years ago, is now available on ITVX as of today, Tuesday, August 18. It explores the story of Dr George Kenney, former principal of North Port High School in Sarasota, Florida.
Hypnotised students and tragic deaths
Kenney reportedly used hypnosis to help students with athletic performance and exam anxiety, and is believed to have hypnotised around 70 students over five years. In 2011, he came under investigation after admitting to hypnotising three students who all died within months of each other.
Sixteen-year-old star quarterback Marcus Freeman died in a car accident, and within the following two months, fellow teens Brittany Palumbo and Wesley McKinley died by suicide.
Family reactions and legal aftermath
The documentary features a parent of one of the deceased teens saying tearfully: “This man has ruined my life”, while another man stated: “This man just wanted to help.”
Kenney pleaded no contest to two misdemeanour counts of the unlawful practice of hypnosis without a license. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 50 hours of community service, and resigned as principal, according to the series.
NBC reported that the families of Freeman, McKinley and Palumbo sued the Sarasota County school board for wrongful death, arguing the school should have stopped Kenney from performing hypnosis. In October 2015, each family reached a settlement of $200,000, the maximum sum.
Look Into My Eyes is available to watch on ITVX.
