Is ‘The Millwood Murders: Buried Truth’ Based on Real Events? Here’s What You Need to Know

Lifetime’s thriller The Millwood Murders: Buried Truth, directed by David F. Mewa, premiered on January 25, 2026, and is available on streaming platforms like Philo and DIRECTV. The film stars LeToya Luckett, Rainbow Francks, Amanda Thamage, and Shane Marriott, and centers on prosecutor Shenae Griffiths, whose sense of justice is put to the ultimate test.

The story follows Shenae as she grapples with a moral dilemma: years after her testimony helped send her husband to death row for the murder of two teenage girls, her daughter Brooke disappears days before his execution. Confronted with the terrifying possibility that her husband may be innocent while the true murderer is still at large, Shenae must race against time and the system to protect her family. At its core, the movie deals with wrongful conviction and the consequences of justice gone wrong.

While the film feels realistic, The Millwood Murders: Buried Truth is a work of fiction by Al Kratina. No real-life incident directly inspired the plot, though the story unintentionally echoes actual cases of wrongful convictions. For example, Tommy Lee Walker was exonerated in January 2026 after decades on death row due to racial bias, coerced confessions, and legal misconduct. Similarly, the 1981 case of Grover Thompson, wrongfully convicted of Ida White’s murder, parallels the film’s themes of injustice, though the movie does not reference these events specifically.

The fictional ‘Millwood’ murderer and the film’s events remain original creations. However, the story draws awareness to the real-life implications of wrongful convictions, systemic flaws, and the emotional toll on families. While inspired in theme by societal issues, the plot and characters remain products of imagination.

This ensures viewers experience a gripping thriller while reflecting on justice, morality, and the human cost of error.