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Murdered By My Boyfriend: the true story behind the shocking BBC Three drama.

Heartbreaking drama based on true story of domestic violence murder of 21-year-old girl.

The most shocking thing about BBC Three drama Murdered By My Boyfriend (aired Monday 23rd June) is that it is based on a true story.

It tells the story of 21-year-old Ashley, who was beaten to death by her boyfriend, after enduring four years of mental and physical abuse at his hands.

The identity of the real Ashley has been concealed, and her name has been changed, but writer Regina Moore has revealed her shock at seeing the file of research on the young woman's tragic story.

"In most of the pictures, 'Ashley' was with her girlfriends: at a hen party, busting some moves at a nightclub, pulling daft poses outside the boutique she worked in. She didn't look like the perceived idea of a 'typical' victim of domestic violence. She was only young. She was confident, bubbly, beautiful and popular."

The real "Ashley' met her boyfriend, who is called 'Reece' in the film, when she was just seventeen. At first he was charming and she fell for him quickly. When she became pregnant, she was unsure about going ahead, due to her age. But he assured her he would love her and the baby, and always take care of them. Alarm bells starting ringing though, when he didn't want pregnant Ashley to move in with him, as he wasn't prepared to give up his Staffordshire Bull Terriers - who could not share a house with a baby.

But, as the programme shows, he became more and more controlling- gradually progressing from loving boyfriend, to abusive monster. First it was little things, like monitoring her text messages, and policing the outfits she wore on her rare nights out.

Then he started demanding to know where she was all the time, asking her to constantly send him 'selfies'. Ashley was pregnant when he first hit her, but vulnerable, and still in love with him, she decided to stay with him, after he begged her forgiveness. His attacks became more violent and regular, and finally, he murdered "Ashley" when she was just 21 years old.

The scenes where he beat her to death, with an ironing board, while their daughter sobbed in the next room, were profoundly shocking.

The real 'Reece' was sentenced to life for murder - due to the severity of the attack. Shockingly, in the last four years, 229 women in Britain were murdered as a result of domestic violence.

Regina said: "My hope is that Murdered By My Boyfriend will reach the many young people who are risk of domestic abuse. We want them to see Ashley's story and ask themselves if they are safe. We want their parents and friends, their boyfriends and girlfriends, their teachers and everyone else to see it too, and for people to understand that the reality of an abusive relationship is complicated and anyone can experience it. More than anything, we want people to talk about this issue and know that there is help available."

Murdered by My Boyfriend was shown on BBC Three on Monday 23rd June.

Best's Murdered By My Boyfriend review

There was never any doubt how the story was going to end. But the tension in this powerful and moving drama, came from the slow burning slide toward's Ashley's terrible death.

At first Ashley, played with a touching combination of feistiness and vulnerability by Georgina Edwards, was a normal, happy teenager - bright, beautiful and fun loving. She met 'Reece' - at a party - handsome, a little bit older than her, he was romantic and loving. "I wished for love to come into my life before I went to the party" said Ashley, after the couple's first night together.

But slowly, Reece began to undermine her. 'Who was Mick?' the number stored on her phone. 'Michaela, you dick head' she laughed, but a chilling shadow crossed his face.

Finding herself pregnant, Reece pressured her into keeping the baby, and then the violence began. The first scene where Reece attacked her, was still shocking, even though the viewer knew it was coming.

With Ashley's voice over from beyond the grave, adding poignancy to the terrible story unravelling, the writer skillfully showed the pervasive, corrosive effects of domestic violence. Friends begged her to leave him, but he had undermined her confidence so much, she felt that she was 'nothing'. And then there was their beautiful daughter to think of. Despite his monstrous moments, he doted on his little girl.

It seemed bizarre that Ashley would return to him after he burst into the shop where she worked and battered her so badly she needed hospitalisation. But in the end, she was reduced to a shell of her feisty, funny, independent self - convinced that she had lost all hope of ever getting away from Reece. The final scenes, involving the brutal attack which took her life - were sickening and shocking.

Hmm. this is  really awesome, i must say! So guys what do you think should be done to this guy? of course we know he's a monstrous being. Would i say its love or loving her out of jealousy? gosh!!!