Original title: Der Fall Jens Söring – Tödliche Leidenschaft

Series Directed by Andre Hörmann and Lena Leonhardt

A documentary about Elizabeth Roxanne Haysom a Canadian citizen and her boyfriend Jens Söring who were indicted of orchestrating the 1985 double murder of her parents Derek and Nancy Haysom in their home in Bedford County, Virginia.

The documentary gives us a description of the murder and how it took place and we have the interviews of the officers who were in charge of the case at that time. Now, you have to remember this is an old case but one that has continued to be in the limelight now and then.

The documentary has four episodes to show the audience the story from the view of police, Haysom, Soering, and the verdict that will give you something to think about in the final episode.

Derek and Nancy Haysom are reputable figures in the society and their murder was first considered as robbery until it was found that no belongings were stolen. And though both Derek and Nancy have children from their previous marriage, Elizabeth was their only child together. Adored by everyone, the police and the entire community felt terrible for the girl who lost her parents at the young age of 20.

But what started as sympathy soon began to develop into suspicion when in the interview with police, Elizabeth didn’t show any emotion, on questions about her whereabouts her response was that she was with her boyfriend Jens Soering, who refused to connect with police until it was absolutely necessary. 

Police who have been suspecting their behaviour and have reasons to believe they both were lying about their activities on the day of the murder, were shocked when Soering and Haysom ran away together.

Elizabeth and Jens met each other at the University of Virginia and soon their relationship began, both people were madly in love with each other, considering the other person their “other half”. 

The documentary touches upon their love affair exactly what attracted both of them towards each other and how Elizabeth’s parents were a hurdle to their love.

Now, there are two sides shown about what exactly transpired that day in the home of Derek and Nancy Haysom. Elizabeth swears Jens was the killer of her parents and she was just an accessory. And Jens confessed to killing her parents but after some chain of events and years later when Jens is presented in front of the court, he swears he is innocent and Elizabeth is the real killer.

The story touches on the motive behind the murder from both Soering and Haysom’s side and how the couple who were once irrevocably in love turn against each other and become the worst of enemies.

There is evidence presented in the court in support of Elizabeth’s claims but one has to be reminded this was happening at a time when technology wasn’t that advanced and Soering continued to plead his innocence.

Now, here is the dilemma the documentary presents to you the crime and the evidence, but the evidence shown tells two stories, and whichever one you pick, will change the base of this horrendous crime. What you need to decide after watching this story is whose side are you on. Who is telling the truth or there is a truth in this case? Is Soering a victim of an unjust system who didn’t dig deep and stay blind to his pleas or is he a cold-blooded killer whose only way to live with himself is to keep convincing himself he is innocent or there is something else that happened which hasn’t been revealed by neither Haysom or Soering?

All your questions may remain unsolved but this is one case you would like to watch if you are a fan of true crime and thriller. The story pace is good and keeps you on the hook, and the four-episode long watch would seem tiny if you haven’t known about this case before, as the story progresses, you get to see all the layers of a criminal love story.