Off the Fence Preps Familicide Special for A+E Networks UK

A+E Networks UK has commissioned for Crime + Investigation the one-off documentary special Family Man, produced by Off the Fence.

Family Man is a film about the terrifying and growing phenomenon of familicide—the wiping out of an entire family by a father/husband, who then commits suicide. It will premiere on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in conjunction with Crime + Investigation’s #HereForHer initiative and with the support of the U.K. domestic abuse charity Refuge.

The documentary explores the murder-suicides of Paul Newman, who, in February 2016, battered his wife Geraldine to death before killing their two young children and committing suicide; Darren Sykes, who, in October 2014, deliberately set fires in his house, killing his two young sons and himself to punish his estranged wife Claire Throssell; and Robert Mochrie, who, in July 2000, killed his wife, Catherine and their four children, aged 10 to 18, before poisoning and hanging himself.

Professor Neil Websdale of the Family Violence Center at Arizona State University, and director of the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative, offers insight into familicide killers’ motivations and methodology in Family Man.

Diana Carter, commissioning editor and head of talent at A+E Networks UK, said: “Following last year’s brilliant Murdered by My Husband, we are delighted to be working with Off the Fence again, on this thought-provoking, moving and hard-hitting documentary to mark our #HereForHer campaign on November 25.”

Fiona Scott, Off the Fence executive producer, said: “The film offers an insight into the devastating but secretive crime of familicide and its terrible impact on family and friends. The film is above all, a tribute to the victims, and to those left behind.”