On December 2, 2018, Grace Millane, a 21-year-old British tourist, is reported missing in Auckland, New Zealand. Having recently graduated and embarking on a gap-year adventure, her sudden silence alarms her family, who had sent her birthday wishes that went unanswered. Unbeknownst to them, Grace had last been seen entering the CityLife Hotel with Jesse Kempson on December 1.
As days pass, the investigation intensifies. Authorities, initially without evidence of foul play, soon uncover disturbing clues. On December 8, Jesse Kempson is charged with the murder of Grace Millane. The following day, her body is tragically discovered in the Waitākere Ranges, confirming the worst fears and transforming the missing person case into a homicide investigation.
Kempson stands trial in November 2019. Despite his claims that Millane’s death was an accident during consensual sex, the jury delivers a unanimous guilty verdict. He is sentenced to life imprisonment. The case resonates widely, prompting national apologies and sparking debates on violence against women. In memory of Grace, her family establishes the Love Grace charity, helping victims of domestic violence.
