Documentary series to explore death of Dorset teenager Gaia Pope-Sutherland
The three part programme is fronted by Zara McDermott
A three part TV documentary will aim to shed light on the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Dorset teenager Gaia Pope-Surtherland.
Gaia went missing in 2017 and was found dead 11 days later near the coast path at Swanage, having suffered hyperthermia.
The documentary will look at her family's search for the truth and the actions of the police and health care professionals.
It will air shortly after what would have been her 25th birthday.
It's being fronted by Zara McDermott, who said:
"When I first heard about the disappearance of 19-year-old Gaia on the news in 2017, I was immediately struck by her story. She and I were the same age. I saw Gaia’s face on the news for days and days after this, and it really struck a chord with me.
"A young woman with the world at her feet, yet her life was over before it had even begun. I began diving deeper into Gaia’s story, alongside her brave family, and I uncovered a huge amount in the year and a half I spent down in Dorset. This young woman needed a voice, and I wanted to tell her story.”
The documentary will hear directly from Gaia’s friends and family about her life and the circumstances that led to her death, as well as from the former Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset at the time.
Gaia’s older sister, Clara, twin sister, Maya, Mum, Kim and Dad, Richard, say:
“Gaia would have been 25 earlier this month, our hearts ache thinking about everything she was and all the possibilities of what she could have become. With the release of this series, we’re clinging on to the hope that we can be part of the change Gaia so desperately needed.
“We want young people and survivors watching to know that they are not alone; there are people and organisations that will listen to and support you. In speaking up, united we can eliminate the perpetuation of rape culture in society and hold the authorities that are meant to protect us to account.”
Clare Sillery, Head of Documentary Commissioning, said:
“We are delighted to give a platform to this incredibly important and timely documentary series and for Gaia’s story to be front and centre. It follows on from the hugely poignant subjects that Zara McDermott has delved into already in her filmmaking for the BBC and looks at whether enough was done to protect Gaia and other young women and girls, exploring the impact on those closest to Gaia. We hope the series will contribute to a very important conversation about what needs to change in the future.”