Be careful ladies, tinder ain't safe
moods
Grace Millane, a British tourist, was tragically murdered in Auckland, New Zealand, on December 2, 2018.
The 22-year-old, who recently graduated from the University of Lincoln, was on a gap year backpacking tour. She had been in New Zealand for two weeks following a trip in South America. Her disappearance sparked a major investigation after her parents did not receive a response to her birthday wishes.
Crucial CCTV footage showed her last seen at the CityLife Hotel with Jesse Shane Kempson, a 26-year-old man she met on a dating app. This footage, along with evidence of Kempson's actions post-murder, including internet searches on body disposal, led to his arrest and charge for Millane's murder.
The case, tried at the Auckland High Court in November 2019, drew significant attention. Kempson claimed the death occurred accidentally during consensual sex, but he was convicted by a unanimous verdict and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. His appeal against the conviction was dismissed in December 2020.
Grace's body was discovered in the Waitākere Ranges, west of Auckland, stuffed into a suitcase and buried in a shallow grave.
The murder caused a profound public reaction in New Zealand, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern apologizing to Millane's family. Landmarks like Auckland's Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge were lit in her memory.
The case raised important discussions about violence against women and the controversial use of rough sex as a defense in murder trials. In response, Millane's mother and cousin founded Love Grace, a charity supporting victims of domestic violence.