The morning of July 17, 2022, started as any other for British woman Vikki Baitup, until she made a frantic call to the police. Her friend, Shaye Groves, had made a bone-chilling confession about hurting her boyfriend. The police soon arrived at Shaye's door to investigate the claim. True crime. It's the genre that's taken the world by storm. And while it might be a bit disturbing, there are some positives to it. For example, true crime raises awareness about the prevalence of certain offenses and encourages people to be more vigilant about their safety. It can even help to bring perpetrators to justice and shine a light on unsolved or underreported crimes. But beware, folks. Some studies have linked exposure to violent content, including true crime, to increased anxiety, fear and desensitization to violence. Experts also warn of the potential for copycat behavior, as some people may be inspired by the criminals they learn about and attempt to imitate their actions. And speaking of true crime enthusiasts, have you heard of Shaye Groves? According to Lucy Paddick, a senior Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, this 27 year old British woman's fascination with serial killers and true crime documentaries became an unhealthy obsession and might have played a role in the events you are about to hear. So buckle up, because we're about to dive into the horrific and perplexing case of Shaye Groves. Leigh Park is a suburban area located in the town of Havant, Hampshire, in the southern part of England. It is home to a diverse community of around 27,500 people. It is known for its green spaces, including Staunton Country Park, a popular destination for nature lovers and families. With stunning gardens full of ornamental ponds and fruit trees you might think you've stumbled into a fairy tale ... but, keep an eye out for the foxes, badgers and deer that roam around because they're not the only wild things you might encounter in Leigh Park. Shaye Groves is a 27 year old single mother from Leigh Park, England. People who knew her describe Shaye as a woman with a rough past, a nonconformist with a peculiar fascination with true crime and serial killers. As recently as 2019, Shaye appeared as a typical happy mother baking cakes with her daughter in social media photos. However, her friends reported that she underwent a notable change beginning sometime in 2020. She would stay up late into the night, engrossed in true crime documentaries and books about the criminal underworld. She even owned mugs with the faces of serial killers printed on them. Her outward appearance also changed significantly, with tattoos and piercings adorning her face, neck and body. Shaye's unusual interests were evident in her collection of knives, Viking axes and a Celtic dagger. In addition, she had a coffin shaped bookshelf in one room and framed pictures of notorious murderers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and Rose West hanging on her bedroom wall. Yet despite being seen as eccentric by those who knew her, she remained a devoted mother to her daughter. Her love for her child was evident in her social media posts, like the one where she expressed her pride in her daughter's independence and promise to always be there to guide her. Shaye and her daughter lived with her close friend Lauren White and her young daughter on Botley Drive. Although Shaye was fascinated with true crime, it was not her only obsession. She was also deeply interested in exploring and indulging in unconventional sexual preferences and had a particular infatuation with a man named Frankie Fitzgerald. Her passion for Frankie was strong and all consuming, occupying a significant portion of her thoughts and time. Frankie Fitzgerald was a 25 year old resident of Portsmouth and the subject of Shaye's obsessive devotion. He was the father of two small children. Frankie was described by friends and family as genuinely kind and loving. He and Shaye had their share of issues as they had been dating on and off for six months. However, they did have a significant mutual interest - kink. They both enjoyed roleplay involving bondage, domination, submission, masochism, and knife play. At one point, according to court records, Shaye gave Frankie written permission to "wake her up through sexual intercourse from the date of March 22nd until further notice." Prosecutors would later argue that Shaye's obsession with Frankie's performance in bed, along with the dangerous dynamic of illicit drug and alcohol use, may have played a role in the horrific events of July 17, 2022. In the early hours of Sunday, July 17, 2022, a gruesome crime took place in the quiet neighborhood of Botley Drive, Havant. Frankie Fitzgerald was found dead in Shaye's bed. He had been brutally stabbed by Shaye. She did not call 999 for help, instead choosing to video call a friend named Vikki. But instead of sounding panicked, Shaye was said to be giggling as if she was enjoying the situation. Vikki described how Shaye pointed the camera at Frankie's dead body and said, "I'm done with him." But why did she do it? And why was she laughing while looking at his body on video? During their video chat, Shaye told Vikki she'd been looking through Frankie's phone and found he had messaged a 13-year-old girl on Facebook. As a result, she lost it. She reached for a dagger, which she kept under her pillow, slit his throat as he slept and stabbed him in his chest 17 times. Shaye then told Vikki she would clean up and bury him in the back garden. She ended the conversation by asking Vikki, "We're still friends, aren't we?" At that point, Vikki decided to notify authorities. The police service arrived later and noticed an incredibly strong scent of bleach from the doorway. Moments later, Shaye, dressed in her robe, answered the door. She initially told officers A postmortem analysis would later find that Frankie had been stabbed 17 times to the anterior chest, twice to other chest areas and three times to the neck. Shaye initially told officers Frankie had attempted to hurt her and she acted in self-defense. Soon after discovering Frankie's body, police arrested Shaye and her friend Lauren in connection with the murder. The initial charges against Lauren were failing to give investigators the PIN code for her mobile phone. She was later released on bail and was scheduled to go on trial for not disclosing her phone's pin code to authorities. However, no further information is available about Lauren's status at this time. On the other hand, Shaye appeared in court on Wednesday the 20th, where she was formally charged with murder. The magistrate ordered Shaye to appear at Winchester Crown Court the next day. It was a shocking turn of events. Two close friends, roommates and single mothers were at the center of a murder investigation. The events stunned the community and many were left wondering what went wrong. It remained to be seen what evidence the prosecution would present to support the murder charge against Shaye. The case promised to be a complex and harrowing journey through the criminal justice system. And it was clear that many questions still needed to be answered. The trial of Shaye Groves began in early January 2023. In court, the prosecutor, Steven Perian, declared, "The defendant, by reading about and watching murder documentaries, was familiar with crime scenes, how to create a false narrative, and how to set up a false alibi." During the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence that revealed the extent of the depravity of Shaye's crime. For example, the court heard that Shaye video-called Vikki hours after killing Frankie, showing her Frankie's body wrapped in a duvet. She even sent her other videos of herself and the deceased. Witness testimony also revealed that Shaye had fabricated an alibi by sending numerous messages to a friend and taking steps to clean up the crime scene. The court also learned Shaye had a camera set up in her bedroom from which she would select and edit video clips to make it look like Frankie had abused her. However, prosecutors obtained the original footage showing the couple's relations were consensual. Vikki also testified that Shaye had used similar tactics to threaten past boyfriends. "She compiles evidence against everyone to see how she can use them as leverage," Vikki said of Shaye. Vikki also talked about Shaye's history of violence, stating she once used nail clippers to hurt a roommate. Mobile phone analysis revealed that while Frankie's body lay in her bedroom, Shaye sent messages to another man inviting him to her home. This was a calculated attempt to create an alibi and deflect suspicion from herself. Later, when questioned about her actions, she tried to excuse her horrific crime by claiming she had discovered Frankie messaging a 13 year old girl. However, investigators found that the girl was 17 and Frankie blocked her the moment she claimed she was underage. In closing, prosecutors declared the evidence was clear. Shaye had committed cold blooded murder and gone to great lengths to conceal her crime. Her actions were not only premeditated, but they also revealed a disturbing lack of empathy and regard for human life. Shaye told the court her actions against Frankie were in self-defense. She said that after discovering messages between Frankie and what she believed was a 13 year old, she threatened to publish videos of his alleged assault online. Frankie responded with rage, choking and shoving her. She told the court that she couldn't breathe and her vision was becoming blurry, so she grabbed the nearest object and struck him in the throat. She also told the court that Frankie had developed a cocaine habit and would often get really aggressive when he was high. When questioned about her choice of room decorations, she said she thought they "looked cool and wanted to shock people. The pictures are from an artist on Etsy. They're not photos. They are art. I thought they look pretty cool and it's different. I'm also a massive Disney fan, but I wanted my bedroom to be completely different and to shock people." Further, she described herself as a pagan and explained that the Celtic dagger she owned, allegedly used to stab Frankie, was intended for her rituals, adding that it strengthened spiritual connections. Shaye Groves smiled as she was found guilty of murder on February 17, 2023, at the Winchester Crown Court. The verdict from the 11 jurors, comprised of seven women and four men, was unanimous. In contrast, she showed no emotion five days later as she was sentenced by the court to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years. A statement released by Frankie's family said "Frankie was a loving father, brother and son. He was the light of our lives and we will miss his kindness, his happy smile and the fun person that he was. Frankie had a large amount of friends and family, and this news has left us all devastated." After the sentence was passed, members of the press assembled outside of the court to hear a statement by Detective Chief Inspector Rod Kenny. "Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Rod Kenny and I'm Detective Chief Inspector with Hampshire and Isle of Wight police, and I'm here to read a brief statement after sentencing today, Shaye Groves was responsible for the shocking and sustained attack which tragically resulted in Frankie's death. We are pleased with the jury's verdict, and the sentence will ensure that Groves spends a significant period of time in prison for what she has done. Nothing can fill the void that's been left in the lives of those who knew Frankie. And our thoughts remain with his family, friends and loved ones. I would like to praise their courage and hope that this sentence will in some way deliver the justice they deserve. We will do everything we can to investigate and prosecute these responsible ... those responsible for these horrific crimes. The details disclosed in court were distressing for all to hear. And I am immensely proud of the tireless work of the local investigation teams, detectives, specialist teams and colleagues and the Crown Prosecution Service. Domestic abuse in all its forms will not be tolerated and remains a priority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary. I would urge anyone who may be a victim of these crimes to come forward and tell the police. You will be listened to, believed and supported. Thank you." Less than an hour after receiving her life sentence, Shea Groves was transported from Winchester Crown Court in a prison van to start the next 23 years of her life behind bars. Shaye Groves, who had glorified the serial killer, Rose West, among others, by displaying their image on her bedroom wall, would experience a cruel irony when she was sent to prison by the same court that had previously sentenced West. This final twist of fate added another layer of tragedy to an already sad situation. As Shaye was transported to prison she likely contemplated the irony of her predicament, possibly even realizing the disturbing nature of her admiration for a convicted murderer. Nonetheless, she was now forced to confront the reality of her choices and the punishment that awaited her. What are your thoughts on this case? Do you agree with the English prosecutors assessment that Shaye Groves's fascination with true crime became an unhealthy obsession that somehow contributed to her actions On July 17, 2022? Or do you view Shaye as an eccentric but everyday person who snapped at the thought of her lover messaging someone else? As usual, feel free to share your thoughts below.