Netflix released The Witness, a three-part drama about Rachel Nickell’s 1992 murder on Wimbledon Common, on June 4 alongside a companion documentary. The series centers on Nickell’s partner André Hanscombe and their son Alex, who was just two years old when he witnessed his mother’s death.
Quick Facts
- Rachel Nickell, 23, was stabbed 49 times in July 1992 while walking on Wimbledon Common in south London.
- Her two-year-old son Alex was the only witness to the attack and is featured throughout the drama and documentary.
- Police wrongly accused local man Colin Stagg, who was later cleared; the real killer, Robert Napper, was not identified for 12 years.
- Both André and Alex Hanscombe participated in the Netflix project to share their experience and spark conversation about the flawed investigation.
In the aftermath of the murder, André and Alex faced intense media scrutiny and racial abuse, eventually fleeing the UK for France and Spain to escape the attention. The BBC reported that André described some of the scenes between himself and young Alex as “brutal,” as he worked to extract details from his son’s memory to aid the investigation.
The drama and documentary trace how the investigation into Rachel’s murder was deeply flawed. According to the BBC, police wrongly focused on Colin Stagg, a local man who was later exonerated. The real killer, Robert Napper, was already serving a sentence in prison for a double murder when he was finally identified 12 years later. Napper is estimated to have attacked and sexually assaulted as many as 90 women before his arrest, despite repeated reports about his behavior.
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André told the BBC that “the truth was that Alex was the only one who was there” and that police had given them “no cards to play.” He said he believed it would have been important to Rachel that they do everything possible to prevent similar crimes, even if it inadvertently affected Alex’s recovery. Alex and André speak out about the dual release, emphasizing that their involvement in the project aims to help others in similar situations.
Both the drama and documentary examine the lasting impact of the tragedy on their relationship. The programmes show how the strain manifested as Alex grew into his teenage years, though the two say their bond has ultimately endured through love, hope, and faith. André said he sees Rachel’s qualities in his son: “When I look at Alex I see his mother. She was all heart.”
Sources
- BBC — Interview with André Hanscombe and Alex Hanscombe about the Netflix drama and documentary, details of the 1992 murder, the investigation’s flaws, and the family’s experience.
- Netflix — Release date (June 4, 2026) and synopsis of The Witness and The Murder of Rachel Nickell.
- Screen Rant — Confirmation that all three episodes of The Witness became available on June 4, 2026.
