ITV has commissioned a brand new true crime documentary about the mysterious case of Steven Clark, who disappeared at the age of 23 after a family walk with his mother on 28th December 1992.
The documentary will be led by ex-detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who helped to expose Jimmy Savile's crimes in the ITV documentary The Other Side of Jimmy Savile.
It will follow Steven's elderly parents, Charles 78, and Doris Clark, 81, in real-time, after they were arrested on suspicion of murder in September 2020, 28 years after their son vanished.
Charles and Doris' arrest followed a review by police from the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Cold Case Unit.
Advert
The documentary will explore both sides of the story during the investigation over 17 weeks and will address the impact the case had on Steven's parents, as they relive his disappearance in and face being under investigation themselves.
From having their garden dug up and house searched by police looking for a body to media speculation, Charles and Doris are followed by Mark to understand how this has affected them.
Mark checks in with retired senior police officer Julie Mackay, the former Head of Major Crime at Avon and Somerset Police. Julie remembers the case and offers her insight on the police investigation and the decision to accuse Steven's parents 28 years later.
Advert
Charles and Doris also share new home video footage of Steven as a child and recount the tragic accident he experienced aged three when he was hit by a lorry.
The lorry accident left him with a severely damaged left arm, a damaged leg and a pronounced limp. Doris says, "He was so different from the little boy before the accident to how he was when he came home, so we just worked as hard as we could to get him better."
Mark Williams-Thomas, said: "Over 17 weeks I followed Charles and Doris whilst they were accused of the murder of their son.
Advert
"My approach was to be totally impartial, my questioning direct, as I unpicked their accounts and explored the possible scenarios around Steven's sudden disappearance.
"It's a compelling real-life story, providing an intimate insight to the unique experience of this couple that is as close to a crime drama as you will ever see on television."
Doris and Charles have now been ruled out as suspects in the murder investigation and they aim to get on with their lives and still live in hope that one day Steven will return to their family home.
Accused of Murdering Our Son -The Steven Clark Story will air next month on ITV.
Featured Image Credit: Cleveland PoliceTopics: TV and Film, True Crime, TV News, Real Life, ITV