Documentary Reveals Chilling Details of Stephanie Hansen's Murder

On March 24, 2026, ITV aired a gripping documentary titled WhatsApp Obsession: The Murder of Stephanie Hansen, which delves into the tragic and disturbing circumstances surrounding the death of 39-year-old Stephanie Hansen at the hands of her flatmate, Sheldon Rodrigues. The documentary explores themes of obsession, control, and betrayal, shedding light on a case that has shocked many.

Stephanie Hansen and Sheldon Rodrigues met at Heathrow Airport, where they both worked. Their friendship began around 2015, and by 2022, they had decided to share a flat together to alleviate the financial burden of living alone. Initially, Hansen viewed Rodrigues, who was often seen eating alone, with empathy and kindness, believing she could help him. Unfortunately, this decision would lead to a deadly spiral of obsession.

Rodrigues became increasingly possessive over Hansen, constantly questioning her whereabouts and sending her hundreds of WhatsApp messages daily. This behavior escalated when Hansen began dating another colleague, triggering a wave of jealousy and control from Rodrigues. He bombarded her with messages warning her to stay away from her boyfriend, even going so far to stalk him.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Rodrigues spent over 150 hours eavesdropping on Hansen using hidden surveillance devices he had planted around their home. This included audio recorders disguised within a television, allowing him to listen to her conversations and monitor her actions without her knowledge. The chilling details of this invasion of privacy were revealed during the trial, highlighting the extent of Rodrigues’ obsession.

On December 30, 2022, the situation reached a horrifying climax. After returning home from a night shift, Rodrigues brutally attacked Hansen, who was asleep at the time. She was found with over 60 injuries, including 20 stab wounds and numerous blunt force trauma injuries inflicted with a hairdryer and a tower fan. The scene was described by police officers who arrived at the flat, with DCI Neil John stating, “It was horrific. There were 20 stab wounds and 39 blunt force trauma injuries which were all centred around her head, face and neck. Blood was everywhere.”

Rodrigues attempted to cover his tracks by leaving Hansen's body for about 24 hours before calling emergency services, claiming he had just discovered her lifeless form. During the 999 call, he expressed shock, stating, “Can you help me please? I've just found my housemate dead.” Upon arrival, police noticed cuts on his hands that contradicted his explanation of having injured himself carving a chicken on Christmas Day. CCTV footage from his workplace revealed that these injuries were not present during his shift.

At trial, Rodrigues denied murdering Hansen, instead attempting to shift blame onto her new boyfriend, alleging that he had threatened her. Yet, evidence from the investigation painted a different picture. Messages on Rodrigues’ phone dating back to 2015 revealed his long-standing obsession with Hansen. One particularly haunting message from 2021 read, “It hurts to see you every day knowing you'll never like me,” to which Hansen replied, “I do like you, but just not enough.” This exchange exemplified the rejection Rodrigues could not accept, leading him to even contemplate undergoing surgery to change his appearance to win her affection.

Rodrigues’ behavior escalated to the point where he was actively stalking Hansen and her boyfriend. He paid £100 to have her partner followed and made violent threats to both of them through fake social media accounts. His fixation grew more intense, leading to a chilling search on his device for “how to make a woman fall in love with me” just ten days before the murder.

On January 23, 2024, Rodrigues was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 25 years at a hearing at the Old Bailey. The court's decision underscored the severity of his actions and the devastating impact they had on Hansen's family and friends. Her mother, Glenda Hansen, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “Stephanie is gone and I'm broken-hearted. The feeling of loss is unimaginable.” Glenda described her daughter’s friendly nature and her hopes for a future filled with love and family, which were cruelly snatched away.

Rodrigues’ case has sparked discussions about the dangers of stalking and obsessive behavior, particularly when it occurs within intimate relationships. Glenda Hansen has since urged others to recognize the signs of stalking and to seek help, stating, “If this happens to you please tell someone and recognize this is stalking. Look for the patterns. Is this getting worse and worse?”

The documentary, WhatsApp Obsession: The Murder of Stephanie Hansen, serves to recount the tragic events and to honor Stephanie's memory and raise awareness about the dangers of obsessive relationships. It highlights the importance of addressing such behaviors before they escalate into violence.

With the case now a part of public discourse, it serves to remind us all of the need for vigilance and support for those who may find themselves trapped within similar situations. The chilling story of Stephanie Hansen is a call to action for greater awareness and prevention of domestic violence and stalking.

Viewers can watch the documentary on ITV, which aims to shed light on the human stories behind such tragedies, airing at 9 PM on March 24.