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Netflix's The Murder of Rachel Nickell documentary explores the brutal killing of a young mother and a man who was wrongfully accused

Rachel Nickell was killed in a frenzied attack in 1992(Image: Netflix)

Who really killed Rachel Nickell and how was he caught?

1. A new Netflix documentary explores the brutal 1992 killing of Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common including the wrongful accusation of Colin Stagg. Rachel Nickell was stabbed to death in broad daylight whilst walking with her two-year-old son Alex and their dog. Her young son remained the sole witness to the savage attack that horrified the nation.
2. Police, under enormous pressure and with minimal forensic evidence, wrongfully accused Colin Stagg who lived locally and frequented the Common. He was subjected to a controversial undercover 'honey trap' operation involving a female officer posing as 'Lizzie James' who attempted to secure a confession.
3. The documentary examines how the botched investigation devastated lives whilst the genuine perpetrator remained free for over a decade. Colin's trial collapsed in 1994 when a judge condemned the police tactics as "deceptive conduct of the grossest kind". Despite his release, public speculation persisted for years.
4. Speaking in the documentary, Colin revealed he was "sick of the whole thing" that dragged on for 15 years. In 2008, he received a £706,000 payout after suing police for malicious prosecution. At the time, Assistant Commissioner John Yates apologised to Colin, stating: "It is clear he is completely innocent of any involvement in this case."
5. The real killer, Robert Napper, was only identified through DNA technology after the case was reopened around 2002. But it wasn't until 2008 when he pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He remains in prison to this day.

READ THE FULL STORY: Where is Colin Stagg now after being wrongly accused of murder