Showmax has released the first trailers for Dark Side of Glory, a gripping true crime documentary series that delves into shocking murder cases in the sports world.
The second episode of the series, Death in the Heartlands, will premiere on Showmax on Wednesday, 7 August 2024.
This 86-minute feature documentary investigates the brutal murders of three female runners in Kenya in 2021: Edith Muthoni, Agnes Tirop, and Damaris Muthee Mutua. These athletes were allegedly killed by the men closest to them, including their partners and coaches.
The case of Agnes Tirop is particularly harrowing. Tirop, an Olympian and two-time World Athletic Championship medalist, was found stabbed to death in her home in Iten, a town renowned for producing elite runners and known as the “Home of Champions.” Her murder came soon after she set a 10,000m world record in Germany, a victory that had positioned her as a favourite for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
“The culture of elite sport is that we celebrate tunnel vision to pursue our goals. But then we become highly vulnerable,” explains Yale academic Dr. Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu, highlighting the intense pressures faced by top athletes.
The documentary features in-depth interviews with key figures connected to the case, including Directorate of Criminal Investigation inspector Andolo Munga, coach Joseph Cheromei, Agnes’ family and neighbours, and Olympian Viola Cheptoo Lagat, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels. Tirop’s Angels is an organization committed to fighting gender-based violence and supporting female athletes.
“Death in the Heartlands exposes the harsh challenges young, especially female, athletes face and celebrates the resilience and courage of the women who have organized to challenge the culture and system around elite running in Kenya,” says Perretta.
Through these personal accounts and expert testimonies, Dark Side of Glory aims to shed light on the systemic issues within the world of sports that lead to such tragedies. “These are raw, powerful, and shocking stories,” Perretta adds. “The series puts the spotlight on the real voices behind these cases, from the courageous friends and families of Agnes Tirop, Edith Muthoni, and Damaris Muthee, to the relentless Kenyan police team seeking justice.”
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Directed by Arianna Perretta and produced by CMG Productions, the series promises to bring raw, powerful stories to light. CMG Productions recently earned the Best Documentary at the 2023 Broadcast Digital Awards for The Footballer, His Wife and the Crash. They received a 2024 True Crime Award nomination for Football Fraudster.
Catch the compelling trailers and mark your calendars for an eye-opening journey into the darker side of sports history.
