On November 1, 2023, Netflix released a crime documentary that focuses on the gruesome murder of Derek W.R. Haysom and Nancy Haysom, which took place on March 30, 1985, in Lynchburg, Virginia.  

After a friend had not been able to contact the couple, police were called to the home. When a police officer, by the name of Buzz McFaden, was sent to help with the scene, he described it “as brutal as anything I’ve ever seen”. According to the police, the couple had their throats slashed and they had been stabbed numerous times.  

Tammy Martin, a sheriff’s deputy at the time, says “The Haysoms were socialites. They were very well known in their part of Bedford County and in Lynchburg. They liked to go to the country club for drinks and dinner. They liked to play bridge.”  

A neighbor of the couple, Jeff Taylor, describes Derek W.R. Haysom in the following way, “Derek was very, you know, quiet, but you asked him a question, you were going to get an answer, whether you liked it or not. He was very straightforward and very proper.”  

Howard Haysom, Nacy Haysom’s child from her first marriage, describes how “Mommy was a feisty woman and Pop, uh, sort of modeled himself after Churchill. So, if you can imagine a Churchill and a Lady Astor flashing, loving each other and raising a family together, it… it was a wonderful family.” 

At first, the community and close friends of the family felt horrible for Elizabeth Haysom. They describe how Elizabeth Haysom was often seen spending time with her parents and it was devastating that she had lost both of her parents at the age of 20.  

As the investigation began, investigators began questioning those who were close to the couple, such as Elizabeth Haysom and her boyfriend Jens Söering. 

When asked about their whereabouts on the day of the murder, Haysom and Söering claimed to have been out of town, in Wahington D.C. 

The couple had claimed to had rented a car and taken a trip up North. Investigators ended up retrieving the records for the rental car and noticed that the mileage exceeded the single round trip that it takes to get to Washington. Investigators began to suspect the couple after this was uncovered.  

When investigators began to question Haysom, she collaborated and gave her fingerprints and blood sample. Söering gave the police his fingerprints and blood sample as well, however when police asked for his footprint, he refused; investigators wanted his footprint to see if it would match a footprint that was found at the crime scene.  

After the couple noticed that they were being suspected, they fled to several countries and eventually settled in England.  

During their time in England, Haysom and Söering used different names to avoid being recognized; some of these names included Christopher P. Noe and Tara Lucy Noe. However, the couple ended up being arrested for fraud related charges such as writing fake checks and using false papers.  

During the investigation, British police officers found evidence that linked the pair to the Haysom’s murder, and they were brought in for questioning. When Söering was being questioned, he ended up confessing that he was guilty of murdering his girlfriend’s parents. Söering claimed to have done it for Haysom, as she told him that she wished her parents were gone. According to Söering, Haysom had told him that her mother would abuse her, take photographs of her when she was nude, and both of her parents would always try to control her life.  

After his confession, Söering and Haysom were arrested and sentenced to serve time in jail. On January 12, 1990, Söering was extradited to the United States, in order to stand trial. However, something had changed. Söering no longer claimed he was guilty and said he only “confessed” in order to protect Haysom. Söering claimed that Haysom was the one who murdered her parents.  

The trial began and Haysom and Söering began telling their own stories, pointing fingers at each other.  

From matching footprints, inaccurate descriptions, motives, and much more evidence presented to the courtroom and viewers of this Netflix documentary, has everyone constantly switching from “She did it!” to “No, he did it!” 

Viewers are given evidence that strongly points at one over the other, however there are small details that end up messing with the mind. With the documentary ending with no real conclusion as to who was guilty, viewers are left with deciding who they believe. Elizabeth Haysom or Jens Söering? Who do you think committed the murder or…. was it both of them? Watch the Netflix documentary to try and figure out who committed the crime.