In the powerful conclusion of our three-part mini-series on Madeleine McCann, True Criminals shines a light on the darker side of the internet and its impact on one of the most infamous missing person cases in modern history. Part 3, Trolls, investigates the relentless online harassment faced by Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and the devastating consequences of such cruelty.

A key focus of this episode is the tragic story of Brenda Leyland, a Twitter user who became the subject of public scrutiny after her trolling activities were exposed by Martin while reporting for Sky News. What began as a report on the impact of online abuse took an unexpected and heartbreaking turn when Brenda’s exposure led to her suicide, sparking a firestorm of debate about media ethics, mental health, and accountability in the digital age.

Martin shares his personal reflections on the tragedy and its lasting impact—not just on the McCanns, but on himself as a journalist and the broader public conversation surrounding online behavior.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of this case, exploring the intersections of crime, media, and the darker impulses of human behavior.

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Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book:

No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter

Available Here

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen here

Credits:

True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.

Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information.

Executive Producer: Lee Mann

Producer: Russell Barnes

Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached