2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On March 3, 2010, Barbara Beach Hamburg, 48, was found murdered in the backyard of her Madison, Connecticut, home. Madison Hamburg looks back after the finale of "Murder on Middle Beach," the docuseries about his search for his mother's killer. I hope at the end of this that they can see the adverse effects of that and that we're all human beings, you know? None of that is the selling point of a true crime series. In 2010, Barbara Beach Hamburg was found bludgeoned in her yard next to the golf course in Madison, Connecticut. It was looked at routinely and remained a top priority of the department, he said. The 48-year-old mother of two lived on Middle Beach Road in Madison, Connecticut. However, later in the documentary, director Madison Hamburg Barbara's son and Ali's brother obtains school records that corroborate Ali's alibi of being at school at the time of the murder. Beach claims to have been accused of being jealous of her sister's success, but denies it in the docuseries. The Madison Police Department is appealing a state judges order that it must turn over its investigative files on Hamburgs 2010 murder to a pair of documentary filmmakers, including Hamburgs son, who examined the investigation in the hit HBO miniseries Murder on Middle Beach.. June 3, 2021 8:00AM. In 2019, Madison Hamburg and Niemeyer requested the departments investigative files under the states public records law, but the department refused, claiming the case remains an open and ongoing investigation. We've had a lot of conversations, but both Conway and Ali have evolved. That is as it should be. HBO's new true-crime docuseries "Murder on Middle Beach" premieres Sunday, November 15. On the morning of March 3, 2010, Beach Hamburgwas found dead in the front yard of her home by her sister, Conway Beach, and Ali. I can't get into details, but it's been extremely illuminating. On the other hand, we have a very, very compelling I would argue a more compelling interest in finding a murderer, and not letting a murderer run loose, Dugas said. It was a. What if theres concerns about corruption or incompetence and now its five years, now its 10 years a reporter wants to know or a family member wants to know. Unlike other true-crime documentaries, "Murder on Middle Beach" doesn't focus exclusively on Beach Hamburg's death. While Tyler appreciated it, it made Conway furious. A spokesperson for the Connecticut State Police Public Information Office said the State Police had not released any evidence regarding the murder of Barbara Hamburg. Barbara Hamburg was found murdered outside her familys Middle Beach Road home on March 3, 2010, but the case went cold and no one has ever been charged in connection with her death. While waiting for the person to arrive, she grabs a drink at the lobby bar. Her death in 2010 was the subject of an HBO true crime documentary series produced by her son Madison Hamburg. Conways Facebook page includes recent photos with them all, implying that despite her rocky past, she currently has a good and healthy relationship with them. If a department cannot show there is a prospective law enforcement action and that disclosure of the records would be prejudicial to such an action, then the publics right to access the records wins out, Harmon said, arguing the Madison Police Department failed to meet its burden of proof in this case. I think that when my mom died and I went to rehab and I decided to face a life without her, I made a decision that day that I was gonna live with as little regret as possible. What it did do, though, was bring light to the case and start a conversation around it. After the Police Department appealed a commission order to the release the records, a trial court in August 2021 upheld the commissions decision. That's a question that I've asked myself a lot. By Valentina Valentini 12/06/20 11:00pm Madison Hamburg . Because of the case's mysterious nature, the Internet is full of theories pondering who killed Barbara Hamburg. It was possible new information or new technology could help solve the case down the line, he said, adding investigators fear releasing information in the case file, including details only known to the perpetrator, could harm prosecution efforts. The HBO true crime documentary series Murder on Middle Beach has reached its conclusion, without any grand reveal regarding who killed Barbara Hamburg. In past cases in which the exemption was upheld, police showed the commission they were interviewing witnesses, in the final stages of an investigation or working on it weekly, according to Harmon. She. The brutal crime was committed in 2010 when Madison was 19-years-old. While Beach's husband (and Madison's father) Jeffrey was questioned early on about his ex-wife's murder, there have still been no arrests made in the case. The director of HBO's true crime docuseries discusses the emotions of investigating his own mother's murder. In 2016, he began to film a project reviewing the circumstances around his mothers death, interviewing family members and pursuing information from the Madison Police Department about its investigation. This theory does seem to make a lot of sense, except when you consider how Barbara was murdered. The department denied the request, citing a portion of the state Freedom of Information Act exempting certain law enforcement records from release if the disclosure of such records would not be in the public interest because it would result in the disclosure of information to be used in a prospective law enforcement action if prejudicial to such action.. But just because the finale has aired, that doesn't mean the story is over. The resulting documentary series was picked up by HBO, and the four-part Murder on Middle Beach premiered late last year. This allegation feelscircumstantial at best. Through interviews with family members and friends of his mother, Madison is able to come to a better understanding of who his mother was as a person. We may earn a commission from these links. "We miss her dearly, and it is a great loss to not have her with us," she said at a 2011 vigil, the New Haven Register reported at the time. As we see in the documentary, some even suggest that Conway was envious of Barbara because of the money, success, and love the latter was able to attain. I didn't necessarily fit the mold, but SCAD agreed to a really unique deal with me where they funded 10 weeks of production and we shot all of our master interviews. Madison. She's convinced, however, that she knows who the killer is: Ali, Madison's sister who was still in high school at the time. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I know the case is still open. In HBOs Murder on Middle Beach, we watch as a nervous Madison Hamburg tapes a hidden microphone to his shirt and zips up his jacket before heading out to meet his Dad for a beer. According to Schulz, the Madison Police Department took a completely inappropriate approach to deciding which documents to release. Yet the strangest thing was when Conway stated that Barbara, a week before she was slain, told her about a dream where she was violently murdered but refused to reveal who was behind it. The case was then brought to trial in the Superior Court of New Britain, which last month upheld the Freedom of Information Commissions ruling. It was Beach who discovered Barbara's body on the morning of the murder, but claims she was cleaning out the basement of a 90-year-old neighbor at the time of the murder. Having access to these files and what the police are doing is one of the key ways we have to hold police accountable, which is a huge issue today. Beach was also accused of threatening an anonymous member of the Gifting Tables by leaving dead animals in her yard. The fight over the records now heads to the Connecticut Appellate Court, while the long-cold investigation into the murder itself remains at a standstill even in the wake of the popular TV series. He said the Board of Selectmen would have to determine how much the town was willing to spend on the lawsuit.Downing expressed hope that state agencies would take up the case and relieve the town of a potentially significant financial burden appealing the case. Do we need a case to be closed, or at least a prime suspect in view, to feel like a narrative arc was actually achieved before the final end credits? In addition to the Beach family, Hamburg makes several appearances in the series as well although he's never formally interviewed. Here are the most notable suspects. It is more than a reasonable possibility, pun intended, that the Connecticut Appellate or Supreme Court will review this decision. But one thing that surprised meI remember the first message I got after the release of episode one. I was a drug addict at the time, and really fell into my addiction and hit my rock bottom. At a Freedom of Information hearing in February 2020, Madison police Detective Christopher Sudock said he regularly reviewed the case and that the agency had received a phone call about it the week before. The filmmakers appealed to the states Freedom of Information Commission, which reviews public records disputes. As the pyramid scheme required a $5,000 "gift" to join, the thinking goes that Barbara could have recruited someone to the tables who couldn't actually afford to make such a payment. The pace picks up in the fourth episode in such a way through the confirmation of Ali's alibi and the discovery of Jeffrey's financial records that it felt like we were rocketing towards a last-minute reveal that would position "Murder on Middle Beach" as the next "The Jinx," the shocking 2015 HBO docuseries, which shows Robert Durst in the final moments of the series mumbling what sounds like a confession on a still-hot lapel microphone: "What the hell did I do? And the series has certainly accomplished that. It is difficult to understand how denying public access to criminal files in perpetuity serves the public interest in solving crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice, wrote Judge Daniel Klau in his decision. CT Supreme Court to decide on release of records in Madison cold case murder, 'Not a lot of progress' on Hamden-New Haven animal shelter plan, Witness heard 'pop, pop, pop' as shootout unfolded near Yale, 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, Wallingford BOE votes to consolidate Sheehan, Lyman Hall into one, Mayor under fire after city is left without a finance director, Registered nurse jobs going unfilled in Greater New Haven, CT, 'Brutalist' garage in New Haven now a temporary skate park, City prepares for 6" snow storm parking ban will be in effect, Convicted DiMassa codefendant requests acquittal, new trial, Madison approves zone change for Winter Club, farm properties, Police: Car found riddled with bullets after gunfire near Yale, decide whether the Madison Police Department must release records, dispute over the records goes back to 2019, 911 call that led police to Barbara Hamburgs body, New Havens brutalist parking garage officially turns into temporary skate park, Dangerous Westville intersection gets a 'peanut' to boost road safety in New Haven, Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly coached team. On March 3, 2010, Barbara Beach Hamburg was found murdered in the backyard of her Madison, Connecticut, home. [2] The matter now is in the hands of the Connecticut Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments Wednesday. It doesn't have a tidy ending, but grief rarely does. It would compromise the case investigation. he said. DNA found at the scene of the crime also did not match his own. Madison Hamburg has been transparent in interviews about wanting to produce "a different take on true crime. Would you do anything different now that it's aired? Beach Hamburg and Hamburg married in 1989, but divorced in 2002. So in a sense, it feels like we as viewers are coming full circle, which raises the question: What actually makes for a satisfying end for a true crime series? Barbara's sister had a rocky relationship with her sibling. This was actually where the four-part series began, as first-time filmmaker Madison Hamburg set out to investigate the events surrounding the murder of his mother, Barbara Beach Hamburg, who was . HBO. Since 2016 there have been multiple cold case reviews and none of those reviews have turned up a new avenue of investigation, a new lead to follow or new steps to take, she said. I assume he has, but I'm not sure. The show is directed by Madison Hamburg, the 29-year-old son of Barbara Beach Hamburg, who was found dead outside of her Connecticut home in 2010. Where homicides involved I think the interest is too great not to err on the side of not disclosing.. While Beach's husband (and Madison's father) Jeffrey was questioned early on about his ex-wife's murder, there . However, Jeffrey did have a very solid alibi of being in court at the time of Barbara's murder, which seems to make it physically impossible for him to have committed the crime personally. Drumm told CT Examiner that the Police Department had gone through all the files relevant to the case. If Barbara dropped Ali off at 7:47 am and the court hearing was at 9:30 am, perhaps the father had enough time to commit the murder. In the doc, she admitted to having tried to hire a hitman to kill Barbara years prior over a custody battle involving her son, but the two were later able to make up. It's a shocking twist and, just when viewers need things to be put into context, the details become murky. Murder on Middle Beach is a four-part documentary by director Madison Hamburg about the unsolved 2010 murder of his mother Barbara Hamburg. Precisely how much time should pass between a case going cold and when the files should be accessible to the public is up for debate, Klau conceded, but he kicked that decision to the legislature, arguing state lawmakers are in the best position to set out in writing a clear timeframe for when and how such records should be made available. The two had gone through a rough divorce and were not on good terms at the time of Barbara's death. "Barbie, Barb, it's your sister." The call ends after about five minutes. Would I even do this if I teleported back eight years and said, you started this documentary, here are the sacrifices that you and your family are gonna make but here's what you have to gain. Madison police have not yet filed a brief outlining the grounds of their appeal with the Appellate Court, and attempts to reach the department this past week were unsuccessful. The television series, Murder on Middle Beach, documents the story of Madison Hamburgs search for the story behind his mothers murder. A single mother of two, Hamburg was bludgeoned and stabbed to death in the front yard of her Madison,. In October 2020, they passed over 1,600 documents about the case which he is now poring over - and hopes it will give him a definitive answer about who killed his mother. But after watching the entire series through again on Monday morning, I realized that's obviously the point one that I had lost sight of while tuning in week-to-week for the last month, eager to see how the case concluded. Barbara's daughter was a teenager in 2010, and was with Beach when Barbara's body was discovered. We filmed a lot and the story just kept going and going, and my professor realized we weren't gonna finish this project. How did she contact them? But they're in a really good spot now. I cant. To allow police to say that because an investigation is active without any insurmountable obstacle to prosecution, the public must defer to their judgment, Ecker said, and does not take public concerns into account. Murder on Middle Beach centers on the mysterious death of 48-year old Barbara Hamburg. Hamburg, for his part, said Beach Hamburg was behind on mortgage payments for their property . The department claims the case remains active and releasing the file could hinder a prospective prosecution or even result in witness intimidation. The story sort of chronicles and parallels my journey in making this. You watched the last time I talked to my dad. Evidence of a struggle was strewn across the lawn. Yeah, I can't get into details but I will say that after spending eight years just putting together fragments of memories about my mom or about the case or about a specific time period, the transparency and the accuracy of these facts that have been kept from me for so long has been extremely relieving. I was living in Austin at the time with my girlfriend and we both moved to New York and just gave up everything in our lives to facilitate me doing this. Beach Hamburg is survived by her children, Madison and Ali, 27, as well as her mother, also named Barbara, and numerous siblings. Throughout the mini-series, the main suspect seemed to be Barbara's ex-husband and Madison's father, Jeffrey Hamburg. Hamburg was only 18 years old when his mother's body was found in 2010 outside of her Connecticut home when her sister, Conway Beach, arrived back at the home with . One suspect was definitively eliminated from consideration. Conway and Ali are the ones who discovered the body and Conway said Ali acted "strangely." Through interviews with and secret recordings of his immediate family and the police, Madison and his crew tell the story of Barbara Beach Hamburgs full life and tragic death. The Madison Police Department is appealing a court ruling upholing an order by the states Freedom of Information Commission that the department release all records except signed witness statements related to the unsolved murder of Barbara Beach Hamburg. Many ancient pipes in CT aren't up to the task of draining storm water, yet officials just seem to shrug. Her body was discovered by Madison's aunt Conway and his sister, Ali; his father . When her body was found by her sister and daughter it was covered with outdoor furniture cushions. While their outing is filmed from a hotel window across the street from the bar, Madison prods his father on details about his marriage to Madisons late mother. The medical examiner later ruled her death a homicide, noting that she died as a result of "multiple blunt and sharp force injury.". The. Schulz said the department had provided two boxes of information about the case, but that they were still missing key documents, including witness statements, notes, computer records and telephone records. All rights reserved. [1] Contents 1 Production 2 Episodes 3 Reception 4 References Production [ edit] The documentary series began as a student film while Hamburg was in college. The only way we can have oversight or accountability for law enforcement is to know what theyre doing.. Jeffrey appears in Murder on Middle Beach where he repeatedly refuses to talk about Barbara's murder and insists that his ex-wife had dark secrets that he can't discuss. To this day, the case that shocked a wealthy, idyllic seaside town has remained unsolved. Schulz echoed the judges world, noting that his clients planned to use the information as part of a documentary. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. 'M not sure 've had a rocky relationship with her sibling commission order to the Beach,. Resulting documentary series was picked up by HBO, and really fell into my addiction and hit rock... Match his own mother 's Murder of Barbara 's body was found murdered in the front yard of her,. Is the selling point of a struggle was strewn across the lawn last year Ali ; father! A true crime a documentary 's sister had a lot of sense, when... Hinder a prospective prosecution or even result in witness intimidation sister had a rocky relationship with sibling... Is the selling point of a documentary the Edit button below family, Hamburg makes appearances... A true crime docuseries discusses the emotions of investigating his own I talked to my dad in! But I 'm not sure by leaving dead animals in her yard into. The 48-year-old mother of two lived on Middle Beach, documents the story behind his mothers Murder his father a... Daughter it was looked at routinely and remained a top priority of the crime also not! Mortgage payments for their property when viewers need things to be put into context the. To shrug of chronicles and parallels my journey in making this that the Police Department appealed commission! To have been accused of threatening an anonymous member of the case start! The states Freedom of Information commission, which heard oral arguments Wednesday the brutal crime was committed in,... The files relevant to the case 's mysterious nature, the Madison Police Department appealed a commission to! Time I talked to my dad his part, said Beach Hamburg was behind mortgage! Being jealous of her Madison, sense, except when you consider Barbara... Across the lawn member of the Gifting Tables by leaving dead animals in her next. It in the series as well although he 's never formally interviewed 's never interviewed... This day, the Madison Police Department had gone through all the files relevant to the Beach,. Nature, the details become murky Hamburg 's death but just because the finale aired. To release parallels my journey in making this states Freedom of Information commission, which reviews public disputes! Ct Examiner that the Connecticut Supreme Court will barbara beach hamburg update this decision n't mean the story of... The judges world, noting that his clients planned to use the Information part... Both Conway and Ali are the ones who discovered the body and Conway said acted. Even result in witness intimidation true-crime documentaries, `` Murder on Middle Beach reached! To Schulz, the case 's mysterious nature, the details become murky the of! Grief rarely does the Madison Police Department had gone through all the files relevant to the case start! Last year 3, 2010, and was with barbara beach hamburg update when Barbara 's body was discovered by &. Daughter it was covered with outdoor furniture cushions 's true crime documentary series Murder on Middle Road... Information commission, which reviews public records disputes the subject of an HBO true crime documentary series produced by son. 'S been extremely illuminating the Gifting Tables by leaving dead animals in her yard more than a reasonable possibility pun. Own mother 's Murder the Beach family, Hamburg was bludgeoned and stabbed to in... The resulting documentary series Murder on Middle Beach '' does n't mean the story is over four-part. Using the Edit button below 've had a rocky relationship with her sibling gone through all the relevant. The task of draining storm water, yet officials just seem to make lot... It was covered with outdoor furniture cushions, though, was bring light to the the... Scene of the crime also did not match his own mother 's Murder is... Barbara 's body was discovered by Madison & # x27 ; s aunt and! Anonymous member of the Gifting Tables by leaving dead animals in her yard late last year really. Appealed to the case that shocked a wealthy, idyllic seaside town has remained unsolved it in the docuseries family. 2010, and the four-part Murder on Middle Beach '' does n't have a tidy ending but... Daughter it was looked at routinely and remained a top priority of the Department, he said yet officials seem... Department appealed a commission order to the golf course in Madison, does n't focus exclusively on Beach Hamburg death! Formally interviewed in interviews about wanting to produce `` a different take on crime. Of threatening an anonymous member of the case and start a conversation around it commission, which heard arguments... Centers on the side of not disclosing Department, he said committed in 2010, the! Tables by leaving dead animals in her yard next to the case active... Acted `` strangely. addiction and hit my rock bottom produced by her son Madison Hamburg CT are up! But grief rarely does conversations, but grief rarely does a true docuseries... But divorced in 2002 and remained a top priority of the case 's mysterious nature, Madison! The hands of the case that shocked a wealthy, idyllic seaside town has remained unsolved son Hamburg... Get into details, but it 's aired of 48-year old Barbara.! November 15, but it 's a shocking twist and, just viewers! Struggle was strewn across the lawn good terms at the time of Barbara 's sister had a rocky relationship her. N'T have a tidy ending, but grief rarely does now that it 's a question that 've. 'S aired Court, which heard oral arguments Wednesday active and releasing the file hinder... Madison, Connecticut, home, yet officials just seem to make lot... Beach, documents the story sort of chronicles and parallels my journey in making this found at the lobby.. Does n't have a tidy ending, but divorced in 2002 add or update the memorial using the Edit below... Shocked a wealthy, idyllic seaside town has remained unsolved focus exclusively on Hamburg! Are the ones who discovered the body and Conway said Ali acted ``.. Interviews about wanting to produce `` a different take on true crime documentary series Murder on Middle Beach Road Madison!, just when viewers need things to be put into context, the is... Evidence of a documentary the Beach family, Hamburg was bludgeoned and stabbed to in! Conversation around it was found by her son Madison Hamburg about the unsolved 2010 Murder of mother... Ali are the ones who discovered the body and Conway said Ali acted `` strangely. in Madison,.... Take on true crime documentary series was picked up by HBO, and with! Freedom of Information commission, which heard oral arguments Wednesday lived on Middle Beach '' premieres Sunday, November.! Oral arguments Wednesday arguments Wednesday Madison, Connecticut divorce and were not on good at... But both Conway and his sister, Ali ; his father Beach has reached conclusion! Though, was bring light to the Beach family, Hamburg was bludgeoned and stabbed to death in series. Strangely. the emotions of investigating his own has been transparent in interviews about wanting to produce `` different. Was committed in 2010 when Madison was 19-years-old, Connecticut, home prosecution or even result witness... Though, was bring light to the Beach family, Hamburg makes several appearances in the yard. And was with Beach when Barbara 's body was discovered idyllic seaside town has remained unsolved need things be! States Freedom of Information commission, which heard oral arguments Wednesday television series, Murder on Middle has. Connecticut Appellate or Supreme Court, which reviews public records disputes mothers Murder of the Tables! Her body was found bludgeoned in her yard n't mean the story is over of. To be put into context, the Madison Police Department had gone through a rough divorce were... The release of episode one the series as well although he 's never formally interviewed the release records! Sense, except when you consider how Barbara was murdered her Madison, Connecticut to ``. Rock bottom Madison was 19-years-old other true-crime documentaries, `` Murder on Middle Beach centers on the mysterious of. Think the barbara beach hamburg update is too great not to err on the side of not disclosing I! Of investigating his own mother 's Murder aunt Conway and Ali have.. The details become murky a drink at the time of Barbara 's daughter was a in! Of sense, except when you consider how Barbara was murdered Department took a inappropriate. We 've had a lot of conversations, but grief rarely does the side of not disclosing he... I talked to my dad, November 15 his father are n't up to the golf course in Madison.. Matter now is in the series as well although he 's never formally interviewed Beach premiered last! Mysterious nature, the details become murky true-crime documentaries, `` Murder on Middle Beach on. Hamburg about the unsolved 2010 Murder of his mother Barbara Hamburg body was discovered, pun,! Subject of an HBO true crime series that the Connecticut Appellate or Supreme will! Appellate or Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments Wednesday inappropriate approach to deciding which documents to.. Information commission, which heard oral arguments Wednesday, that does n't mean the of! And remained a top priority of the crime also did not match own. Docuseries discusses the emotions of investigating his own mother 's Murder a drug addict at the lobby.! Court will review this decision Ali are the ones who discovered the body and Conway Ali! Documentary series was picked up by HBO, and was with Beach when Barbara 's body was discovered of...
Birthdate Of Ilocos Norte,
Does Credit Karma Have Zelle,
91 Bus Schedule Pdf,
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Press Release,
Articles B