Upcoming Showmax True Crime Documentary Series Takes A Closer Look At Murders In The Sports World

Showmax has unveiled trailers for Dark Side of Glory, a riveting true crime documentary series that uncovers shocking murders in the sports world.

The series aims to shed light on systemic issues in sports that lead to such tragedies. The first episode, The Durban Axe Murderer: The Rugby Killer, about South African rugby player Joseph Ntshongwana, premieres on Wednesday, 31 July 2024.

The second episode, Death in the Heartlands, premieres on Showmax on Wednesday, 7 August 2024. This 86-minute documentary investigates the 2021 murders of three Kenyan female runners: Edith Muthoni, Agnes Tirop, and Damaris Muthee Mutua, all allegedly killed by their partners or coaches.

Agnes Tirop, an Olympian and two-time World Athletic Championship medalist, was found stabbed to death in her Iten home shortly after setting a 10,000m world record. Iten, known as the “Home of Champions,” was rocked by her murder.

“The culture of elite sport is that we celebrate tunnel vision in order to pursue our goals. But then we become highly vulnerable,” says Yale academic Dr. Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu.

Interviews in the episode include insights from criminal investigator Andolo Munga, coach Joseph Cheromei, Tirop’s family, and Olympian Viola Cheptoo Lagat, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, an organization fighting gender-based violence.

Directed by Arianna Perretta and produced by CMG Productions, the series highlights harrowing real-life stories. CMG Productions previously won Best Documentary at the 2023 Broadcast Digital Awards and received a 2024 True Crime Award nomination.