Louise Woodward: New documentary to examine notorious 'killer nanny' case
Channel 4 are behind the three-part series
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Channel 4 is producing a true-crime series that will explore the infamous story of British au pair Louise Woodward.
In 1997, Woodward, who travelled to the US to work as a nanny, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter following the death of a baby boy, Matthew Eeappen, in her care.
Now, almost 25 years on, Channel 4 will reinvestigate the events with a new documentary, Louise Woodward: Villain or Victim? from a new context, providing insight from all sides of the case.
Originally sentenced to 15 years in prison for first-degree murder after admitting to “playing a little roughly” with the baby, her sentence was reduced to involuntary manslaughter on appeal and she served only 297 days in prison.
Eight-month-old Matthew was admitted to hospital with a fractured skull, internal bleeding and a fractured wrist. He was placed in a coma before passing away.
During the trial, Woodward received a large amount of publicity in both the US and the UK.
The documentary proclaims to have new access to lawyers from both the prosecution and defence as well as the detectives and paramedics involved with the case.
The aim of the producers is to bring a fresh perspective to a divisive story.
Daniel Fromm, commissioning editor for factual entertainment at Channel 4, said: “This three-part documentary boxset offers fascinating insights into a trial that gripped the public’s attention on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Louise now lives in the UK and works as a dance teacher with her husband and their daughter.