Murder in Paradise

Two of Northern Ireland's leading journalists, Darragh MacIntyre and Allison Morris, revisit the tragic murder of 27-year-old Michaela McAreavey.

Michaela's family paint a vivid picture of a wonderful, family-oriented young woman and describe the heartbreaking impact of her death.

Michaela's widower, John McAreavey, recounts how he discovered his new wife strangled in the bathtub of their honeymoon suite and his subsequent ordeal as the first suspect.

The former prime minister of Mauritius reveals that he spoke personally with the commissioner of police to put his best men on the case to solve it quickly. The detective inspector who led the investigation explains how - within 24 hours - police arrested three hotel workers, and evidence pointed to Michaela's murder being a robbery gone wrong.

Crime correspondent Allison Morris was in Mauritius in the aftermath of Michaela's murder to cover the story. What Allison experienced first-hand raises questions about the police inquiry. 16 months after Michaela's murder, two hotel workers – Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea – stood trial at the supreme court. Michaela's family travelled to Mauritius, prepared to face they men they believed murdered Michaela.

Two of Northern Ireland's leading journalists, Darragh MacIntyre and Allison Morris, re-examine some of the key moments of Michaela McAreavey's murder trial in 2012.

Michaela's family were led to believe this would be an open and shut case. The trial was predicted to last two weeks but instead became one of the longest in Mauritian legal history.

Through first-hand testimony, Michaela's family describe the atmosphere they encountered in court and how defence tactics helped fuel a media frenzy.

Darragh and Allison reach out to the defendants, lawyers, police and former prime minister to hear other perspectives.

One of the hotel workers who stood trial, Sandip Moneea, agrees to tell his side of the story. The case drew the attention of some of the top legal minds on the island including a former attorney general who took the case convinced of a prospect of a miscarriage of justice.

Darragh and Allison explore whether this was, as the defence claimed, the botched investigation of an incompetent and corrupt police force.

In the absence of DNA evidence connecting the defendants to the murder, the case hinged on a key piece of evidence – a confession.

Two of Northern Ireland's leading journalists, Darragh MacIntyre and Allison Morris, explore whether a new investigation is any closer to bringing justice for Michaela McAreavey.

Two former workers – Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea – were found not guilty of Michaela's murder after a high-profile trial in 2012. Her family believe the verdict was a miscarriage of justice.

Michaela's case led to a landmark change in Mauritian law meaning defendants can be retried for the same crime if there is fresh and compelling evidence. This gave Michaela's family hope and has led to a long campaign for justice.

A decade after Michaela's murder, Mauritian authorities launched a fresh investigation. Four months later, shocking headlines emerged – the only eye-witness was found dead.

Darragh and Allison revisit the eye-witness's evidence and investigate whether there was anything suspicious about the circumstances of his death.

They set out to find another witness who could have crucial evidence but who wasn't called to the trial – the bellboy who accompanied John back to the room when he discovered Michaela.

Nearly a year after the investigation was re-opened, there was an apparent breakthrough. Two hotel workers were re-arrested. Darragh and Allison explore whether the authorities are any closer to bringing justice for Michaela.