Family of murdered Leeds student hits out at Hulu documentary for ‘lack of sensitivity’

The family of a murdered University of Leeds student has hit out at Hulu’s upcoming documentary on her death due to a “lack of sensitivity”.

The new series dramatises the story of Amanda Knox, who was convicted of murdering her flatmate Miranda Kercher, in 2007. Knox’s conviction was later overturned in 2015.

Meredith, 21, was a University of Leeds student on an exchange in Perugia, central Italy, when she was found dead after being stabbed multiple times in the flat she shared with Knox.

Knox was found guilty of Meredith’s murder and sent to prison. She was later acquitted due to a lack of evidence after serving four years of her sentence, The Times reports.

In a statement issued by the family, Meredith’s sister said: “[Meredith] will forever hold a lasting legacy in friendship and kindness that no media can change.”

New evidence from DNA found on the body revealed Rudy Guede, a small-time drug dealer in the area, to be the killer. Guede was released in 2021 after serving 13 years of a reduced 16-year sentence for good behaviour.

Knox, 37, told her story in her 2013 memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, reportedly receiving $3.8 million (£2.9 million), which she used to pay off loans and legal fees. There has also been a Netflix documentary, released in 2016, as well as a 2011 film made for US television.

Amanda Knox via Netflix

The new series, Amanda: A Coming-of-Age Horror Story, began filming last week in Orvieto and will continue in Perugia next week. Filming is also reported to be taking place in the Via della Pergola apartment that Meredith was murdered in.

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Speaking for the family, lawyer Francesco Maresca has said: “We’ve already spoken about this case too much and at a certain point you have to close the chapter.

“However, Knox does not want to close the chapter. This continuous stirring is a demonstration of a lack of sensitivity.

“She earns money, obtains visibility on the television after many years…It seems that Knox does not want people to forget about this story.”

Meredith Kercher’s family via Channel 5

Now a mother of two, Knox campaigns against wrongful convictions and is a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform. However, she has been accused of slander after accusing Patrick Lumumba of Meredith’s murder.

Judges in Florence decided that a three year sentence should be upheld, although this had already been served during her wrongful conviction for her flatmate’s murder. The Times also reported that Knox’s lawyers had been contacted but did not respond for comment.

Knox is the executive producer of the new series and Monica Lewinsky, whose own story about her affair with then US President, Bill Clinton, has been made into a Disney-backed series, will be co-producing alongside Knox.

The series will see Grace van Patten playing the role of Knox and John Hoogenakker playing her father, who led the efforts to defend his daughter.

Makers of the series have said the show will tell the “true story of how Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted for the murder of her roommate Meredith and her 16-year odyssey to set herself free.”

Family lawyer Maresca has told The Times he believes her conviction of slander being upheld casts doubt on her complete innocence.

He added: “Knox’s silence at the moment would have been the most appropriate thing.”

Hulu was contacted for comment but has not yet responded.

Featured image via Channel 5