Listening to a roll call of the 86 women who were killed in 2013 by
their male partner or ex-partner is absolutely chilling. As Vanessa
Engle’s powerful documentary unfolds, it’s obvious that there is no
common thread to the murders other than perhaps the killer’s jealousy or
control issues. The women’s ages ranged from 23 to 80; some of the
couples had just met while others had been together for 30 years; and
they all lived in different areas, and had different cultural and
economic backgrounds.
Family members, friends and neighbours give
a more detailed account of seven of these deaths, turning them from
shocking statistics to real human stories. The phone call calmly made by
Anne-Marie Birch’s husband just after he killed her and the distress of
Joanna Hall’s sister when describing how a new boyfriend stabbed her
sibling to death is harrowing. There’s no commentary because none is
necessary.
