Who Killed Jill Dando is a British true-crime documentary series that re-visits the unsolved murder case of Jill Dando. It is an Express Films Production in association with 42 M&P and is executive produced by Emma Cooper. Directed by Marcus Plowright, the three-part series is produced by Sophie Donovan and has a runtime of about 45-50 minutes.
Individuals featured in the documentary include Hamish Campbell, Jennie Bond, Nigel Dando, Jeff Edwards, Jane Moore, Bob Wheaton, Martyn Maxie, Jon Roseman, Anastasia Baker, Noel “Razor” Smith, Ian Horrocks, Charlie Isaacs, Michelle Diskin Bates, Michael Mansfield KC, Prof Susan Young, Paul Cheston, Barry George, and Raphael Rowe.
Who Killed Jill Dando Review
Jill Dando is often described as the ‘girl next door’ or the second most popular female personality after Princess Diana. Unironically, both of their death remain a mystery overshadowed by endless theories. The British news presenter and TV personality was shot dead at her doorstep at Gowan Avenue, Fulham, London on April 26, 1999. And for the past 24 years, it has remained unsolved with no particular suspect on record.
She was shot in the head by a 9mm semi-automatic handgun which could have a silencer on it, as nobody in the neighbourhood heard any gunshot sounds. The fact that there was a silencer on the gun made many believe that it could be a professional killer contracted by someone. Now was it someone close to Jill – an ex-lover or her own agent, if not then, could it be someone completely external like a Serbian warlord with revenge on his mind?
In the first episode, the creators go through her personal life and how she came to the spotlight gradually, due to her appealing appearance and personality to win anyone over with her words. They then tread into her love life and how her ex-lover and boss was under suspicion at first but the police ruled it out, then they moved to her agent, as he was the only one who knew her exact whereabouts. But ruled it out as well, as Jon Roseman quotes – one wouldn’t murder their client who brings in the most profit.
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In the second episode, they explore the possibility of a Serbian killer who killed her after Dando had broadcast a BBC appeal on behalf of Kosovar refugees driven from their homes by forces under Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević. They theorise that the person could be seeking revenge or preventing her from exposing them on Crimewatch. Many of the interviewees believe that the criminals who got indicted because of the show could possibly be behind the gruesome murder.
But once no Serbian connections could be made, they moved to Barry George, the man who was actually found guilty of the crime until he was released innocent, after 8 years. The police accidentally stumbled upon Barry, who was living in the nearby area of Jill’s house. Apparently, the man had been reported for assault on women, even attempting to rape at numerous accounts. This put him on a suspicious list and more evidence found from his house made police sure.
The biggest evidence, which was later nullified by the court was the presence of gunpowder residue in his long coat pocket, an eerily similar outfit that the killer was also witnessed to be wearing. Another was a picture from an undeveloped film roll, where Barry is wearing a gas mask and holding a gun which resembles the weapon used for shooting. Although he was acquitted later and many don’t really believe his involvement in the murder, his previous criminal charges and the way he was living – present a different, potentially dangerous story.
Towards the end, Noel “Razor” Smith hints that there are rumours in the criminal world about who might be the real killer but he can’t share anything about it, for the sake of his own life. And this makes you think what a bummer! Maybe he should have spilt about it off the camera and the documentary crew might have unearthed some new clues. Yet the question remains – who do we actually believe? Barry George checks all the boxes but could he actually kill a person?
The documentary was just a compilation of possible conspiracy theories regarding the case, without actually following through with a real possibility. The first question to prove Barry’s innocence would have been to present the ‘replica’ gun that he was holding in the picture. If he doesn’t have it anymore then where did it go? Also, he definitely isn’t a decent innocent man, looking at his past records and the secret images of women in the streets. The series ends hinting that it was definitely revenge from some powerful criminal – whether it was a standalone job or a political motive, we will never know.
Who Killed Jill Dando is available for streaming on Netflix.
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