44: Alice Gross

This episode recounts the heartbreaking story of Alice Gross, a 14-year-old girl who went missing and was later found murdered in London. The investigation that followed her disappearance involved extensive searches and mounting frustrations as the case remained unsolved for nearly eight years. Alice was last seen on August 28, 2014, after she left home for a walk along a canal. Despite initial hopes from her family and the community for her safe return, signs pointed to foul play when her belongings were discovered.

Police investigations included appeals to the public, extensive searches, and review of CCTV footage that eventually implicated a man named Arnus Zalkans, a convicted murderer. Zalkans was spotted near the area around the time of Alice's disappearance, but he was soon found dead by suicide, complicating the case. Despite substantial circumstantial evidence linking him to Alice's murder, the Crown Prosecution deemed the evidence insufficient for charges.

The episode reflects on how Alice's tragic story has had a profound impact on her family, the community, and prompted discussions on reforms for sharing information about high-risk offenders across Europe. The episode concludes with a somber reflection on the justice system’s failures and Alice's lasting legacy as a talented young girl whose life was abruptly cut short.