Online Dating Turns Deadly in New Zealand: Grace Millane | Episode 14
🛫 Destination: Auckland, New Zealand
Grace Millane, a 21-year-old British backpacker, embarked on a solo adventure of a lifetime right after graduating from University. Starting in South America, Grace then headed to Auckland, New Zealand, where, in December 2018, she connected with Jesse Kempson through a dating app.
They went on a date to celebrate her upcoming birthday. Dinner, drinks…and then they both went back to his hotel. What looked like a successful date turned into a nightmare as days later Grace’s body showed up buried in a suitcase in a remote area outside the city. Grace’s case drew international attention, voicing safety concerns around female solo travel and online dating in general.
🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:
⚠️ How solo travel doesn’t mean being alone or lonely.
⚠️ How listening to your intuition can literally save your life.
⚠️ Safe practices for dating while traveling alone.
Listen here:
What the hell happened with
Grace Milane in New Zealand
▸ Grace Millane, a 21-year-old woman from England, embarked on a backpacking trip after graduation. She started in South America and then made her way to New Zealand. This sounds like the adventure of a lifetime, right?
SOURCE: STANDARD.CO.UKIt was…until she met Jesse Kempson, a 26-year-old guy, and went on a date with him. And that was the last time anyone would ever see Grace. After a few days missing, her body was found buried in a suitcase in the Waitākere Ranges.
SOURCE: STANDARD.CO.UKThanks to CCTV footage, which can be found everywhere around New Zealand, authorities were able to put the pieces together and identify Jesse as the person responsible behind her death.
He claimed her death was a tragic accident during consensual activities, but evidence revealed disturbing details, including his attempts to cover his tracks with Google searches and by continuing his social life as if nothing had happened. He even went on another Tinder date the very next night after his date with Grace. Luckily, this girl felt uncomfortable around him and left.
Grace's case became a spotlight for discussions about safety, consent, and the dangers women face while traveling—or even just existing.
Everything we mention on
Episode 14 of True Crime Travelers
▸Watch the CCTV footage that helped police put the pieces together and convict Jesse Kempson in this video:
WHERE IT HAPPENED…Auckland, New Zealand
Known as the "City of Sails, Auckland is a coastal melting pot, an exciting mix between an urban landscape, and the rugged volcanic hills that surround it. It’s a lovely destination for travelers, who can enjoy the view of sailboats along the gulf and the serene beaches of Waiheke island. Or skip around town hitting the boutiques, eateries, and world-class coffee shops.
According to the Global Peace Index, New Zealand is a very safe destination for travelers, usually ranking in the top 3 of the safest destinations in the world. While Grace’s story is incredibly heartbreaking and shocking, it’s a very isolated occurrence in a very friendly destination.
▸Grace was staying at Base Backpackers, a chain of backpacker hostels that have locations around Australia and New Zealand, and are all fun spaces that offer a myriad of activities for solo and group travelers alike.
▸Jesse, on the other hand, was staying at CityLife Hotel Auckland. And it was where Grace was seen for the last time.
Hey witches, do you have a tip or a piece of information
related to the case that we should know?
Love Grace: Grace’s legacy
Since Grace’s death, her friends and family have been raising money for White Ribbon charities in the UK and New Zealand.
They created Love Grace, an organization focused on raising awareness of male violence towards women, providing education, resources, and support to women in domestic abuse situations. And also, handbags full of essential items for women in need.
Never travel without travel insurance!
Whether it’s a canceled flight, a lost bag, or a last-minute doctor’s visit,
this affordable travel insurance is like having a safety net for travelers and nomads.
We’re not here to scare you,
we’re here to prepare you.
This episode’s travel lesson:
This episode, we conclude with 2 travel lessons:
1. Trusting your gut can literally save your life.
The very next day he went on his date with Grace, Jesse went on another Tinder date. However, this date ended differently because this girl felt uncomfortable and refused to get into his car. Maybe Jesse was weird after what had happened the night before, unsettling this second date…but whatever it was, acknowledging that discomfort and going with her intuition might have saved this girl’s life.
Remember: your safety and comfort come first, always!
2. Stay safe while dating…both abroad and at home.
While dating apps can be an amazing way of meeting new people, there’s always going to be an element of danger when it comes to meeting a stranger. So girls, when going on a blind date, whether you're at home or abroad, take extra precautions like these:
If you’re going to go home with a guy, never go to his “territory” on a first date. Go to your apartment, your home, or your hotel, where people know you or where you have a room under your name. Make it easier for your people to keep track of you. And on that note…
Take a screenshot or a photo directly of whoever you’re going out with and send it to your friends, sisters, brothers…just in case. This way, if there was anything to happen to you, people know where to ask questions first. Be loud about it, let them know people are watching over you. And if your date has a problem with this…well, just consider it a filter to know that you shouldn’t be going out with this person to begin with.
If you haven’t listened to the episode, listen here:
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What do you think happened?
Do you have any other theories?
Join us on Reddit to discuss this case!
See you on the next case of True Crime Travelers…
xo, Alexa + Emilia
