The Box: An American Murder Story

Channel 5, 10pm

It began with an attempt to solve the disappearance of a teenage girl in Illinois almost half a century ago. But what US policeman Chris Loudon (right) would uncover was a story of pure horror that is stranger than any fiction.

Loudon found a box containing the evidence of a murderous, evil spree as bad as, if not worse than, any other in criminal history. In it were countless photographs of young girls who had been captured and drugged by a multiple killer and rapist. He was seemingly able to operate almost entirely untouched by the authorities, who were handicapped by the technologically primitive resources of the 1970s.

Unfolding over three episodes, this chilling tale is an account of humanity at its worst, but also testimony to the dogged persistence of one detective determined to find justice for the victims. ★★★★★