A powerful new Disney+ documentary has revealed shocking details about the circumstances leading to the tragic death of television presenter Caroline Flack, based on a five-year investigation by her mother.
The Night That Changed Everything
On December 12, 2019, Caroline Flack and her boyfriend Lewis Burton returned separately to her London flat after both having been drinking. According to her mother Christine Flack, who speaks extensively in the documentary, their cabs arrived simultaneously and they entered the property laughing and joking before going to bed.
The situation turned when Caroline discovered text messages from another woman on Burton's phone. Caroline's lawyer Paul Morris explains that this confirmed her worst fears, leading to an emotional confrontation where she tried to wake Burton while still holding the phone.
During the altercation, Caroline struck Burton with the phone in her hand, causing a minor cut to his head. Friend Mollie Grosberg recalls that both were absolutely wasted when Burton threatened to call the police, despite Caroline screaming if you call the police I'm done.
Systemic Failures and Missed Opportunities
Police bodycam footage from that night reveals crucial details that contradict later court statements. Caroline immediately admitted responsibility, telling officers It's all me, I did it. I didn't know my phone was going to hit him in the head.
Lewis Burton expressed concern for Caroline's welfare, telling police I love her. I don't want this to be in the press. She'll harm herself, I'm telling you. He required no medical attention, while Caroline needed hospital treatment for self-inflicted injuries.
Most significantly, the Crown Prosecution Service initially recommended a caution, noting the case wasn't in the public interest since the injured party didn't support the allegation, there was no domestic violence history, and Caroline had no previous convictions.
However, a Detective Inspector overruled this decision - an unusual move that changed the course of events dramatically.
The Final Descent and Heartbreaking Outcome
As the case proceeded despite multiple appeals, Caroline's mental health deteriorated severely. Her legal team arranged for a psychiatric assessment, which was submitted to the prosecution, but this professional analysis was completely ignored.
Caroline's agent Louisa Booth expressed frustration that they were screaming into a void and no one is listening. The night before her court appearance, Caroline took pills and drank the entire minibar, surviving the night with just one hour of sleep.
In court, the prosecution lawyer Katie Weiss incorrectly stated that Lewis had been hit with a lamp and described the scene as like a horror movie - claims directly contradicted by the evidence. Christine Flack is particularly determined to dispel what she calls the myth of the lamp.
Unseen footage shows Caroline documenting her ordeal, stating I've never hurt anyone in my life, the only person I ever hurt is myself.
Despite brief periods of improvement in February 2020, Caroline's hope collapsed when she learned on February 13 that the case would definitely proceed. She messaged a friend: They won't drop the case. My life is over. The bodycam. My head is throbbing.
After a meltdown where she trashed her flat, friends calmed her, but on February 15, her sister Jody arrived to find Caroline had taken her own life. Her final note read: Please let this court case be dropped, and myself and Lewis find harmony.
Expert Condemnation of Proceedings
Former CPS chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal reviewed the evidence and stated unequivocally that Caroline should only have received a caution. He told Christine Flack: I have prosecuted thousands of these cases, none of this makes sense. I can't think of any reason to proceed, unless they were scared of what the media were going to say about them.
Afzal concluded that Caroline would still be with us if certain decisions weren't taken in that month or two following the incident.
Former police Detective Constable Jess McDonald, who examined all the paperwork, identified multiple instances of abnormal treatment and mishandling, particularly noting that Caroline consistently admitted guilt despite police claims to the contrary.
Both episodes of Caroline Flack: Search For The Truth are now available on Disney+, revealing the full extent of the failures that contributed to this tragedy.
