A new three-part documentary titled *The Murder Detective* offers an unprecedented look into the investigation of the 2019 killing of Lyra McKee, a 29-year-old Northern Irish journalist and author. McKee was shot while observing a riot in the Creggan estate, County Derry, an area historically associated with the IRA and linked more recently to the New IRA, which acknowledged responsibility for the fatal shooting.

The incident took place in April 2019, when McKee stood alongside her partner near a police van during the unrest. The New IRA later claimed the shooting was unintentional. The documentary provides rare access to the investigation, led by Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who at the time was head of major investigations at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Murphy is depicted navigating the complexities of pursuing justice in an environment marked by intimidation and fear.

Creggan estate remains a highly sensitive area due to its connections to dissident republican groups. Murphy’s challenges in gathering evidence are compounded by local witnesses’ reluctance to come forward, fearing possible reprisals. The documentary highlights these difficulties, showing Murphy taking precautions such as checking his car for bombs.

Several eyewitnesses were present during the riot, including an MTV crew led by presenter Reggie Yates, who was in Derry investigating the social impact of Brexit. The crew departed prior to the shooting, and some local residents suggest that aspects of the riot were staged for their benefit.

The series refrains from showing the shooting itself but captures the immediate chaos and shock, including audible cries reporting that a young person had been shot in the head. McKee, a prominent Catholic writer known for her blogpost “Letter to My 14 Year Old Self,” which detailed her experience growing up gay in Belfast, was widely respected for her work. Her family, represented by her sister Nichola McKee, appears in the documentary expressing both their devastating loss and their ongoing pursuit of justice. Nichola describes the pain of losing her sister and the enduring absence left behind.

The police investigation was protracted and faced additional setbacks, including procedural errors that complicated the case. The trial related to McKee’s death concluded only recently, ending without convictions for the killing. The documentary portrays the investigation’s complexity and emotional weight, shedding light on the persistent challenges of addressing politically charged violence in Northern Ireland.