Grace Millane’s Tinder Date: How a Night Out Turned into a Tragic Murder

On December 1st, 2018, 22-year-old Grace Millane, a recent graduate from the University of Lincoln in England, embarked on what should have been an exciting leg of her backpacking trip through New Zealand. It was the eve of her birthday, and she decided to meet Jesse Kempson, a man she had matched with on the popular dating app Tinder. The two met at a crowded spot in Auckland, creating an initial sense of security for Grace. However, the events that followed would spiral into a chilling nightmare that no one could have predicted. By the next morning, Grace was gone, never to be seen alive again.

This is the tragic story of how an ordinary Tinder date with a stranger turned into a horrifying crime that shook New Zealand and the world.

The Evening Out

Grace and Jesse met in a public area of Auckland, a place filled with people and activity, allowing Grace to feel comfortable meeting her Tinder date in person. Jesse had spent the hours leading up to the date drinking heavily, and surveillance footage later showed him leaving the bar with at least four empty bottles visible on the table.

Their evening started innocuously enough, progressing through a few bars where they shared drinks and conversation. By 8:54 p.m., the two had kissed for the first time. Grace, unaware of Jesse’s dark intentions, sent a final message to her friends, expressing how well the date was going. She remarked that she felt an instant connection with him, a sentiment tragically misaligned with the reality of her impending fate.

As the night wore on, Grace and Jesse moved to another bar and eventually headed to Jesse’s hotel room. CCTV footage captured the two entering Jesse's hotel—footage that would later become critical in solving the case.

The Morning After: The Disappearance

The following morning, Grace’s phone lit up with birthday messages from friends and family. It was her 22nd birthday, a day that should have been filled with celebration. But every message went unanswered, raising immediate concerns. By the end of the day, her friends and family knew something was wrong, and Grace was reported missing.

Meanwhile, Jesse was seen on CCTV acting suspiciously. Footage captured him riding the elevator multiple times, carrying cleaning supplies and, most disturbingly, a large suitcase that appeared abnormally heavy. This suitcase would later become a focal point of the investigation, as it contained Grace’s lifeless body. As Grace’s loved ones grew increasingly frantic, Jesse was attempting to clean up the mess left behind from the horrific events of the previous night.

The Unfolding Horror: Jesse's Attempts to Cover Up

As the investigation into Grace’s disappearance intensified, Jesse’s actions over the next 48 hours raised more red flags. The day after Grace’s death, he was seen visiting a store where he purchased a large suitcase—presumably to conceal her body—and cleaning products to erase any traces of evidence. He was captured on camera methodically checking the dimensions of the suitcase, ensuring it would be big enough to fit Grace’s body.

His next move was even more chilling. With Grace’s body still in his apartment, Jesse went on another Tinder date, seemingly without a second thought. Surveillance footage captured him wearing the same clothes he wore the night he killed Grace. During the date, Jesse made disturbing comments to the woman, allegedly discussing how to hide a body, which alarmed his date enough to leave early. Her intuition may have saved her life, as investigators believe she was potentially next on his list.

Jesse then returned to his apartment, armed with a carpet cleaner to erase any signs of what had transpired. Shortly after, he loaded several pieces of luggage, including the suitcase containing Grace’s body, onto a trolley and was captured on CCTV struggling with the weight of his burden. He had rented a car earlier in the day, which he then used to transport Grace’s body to a remote location.

The Police Investigation and Grace’s Father’s Plea

As days passed with no word from Grace, her family became desperate. Her father, David Millane, flew to Auckland and made an emotional public plea for his daughter’s safe return. But despite the media coverage and the family's heartfelt appeals, there was no sign of Grace.

The Auckland police worked tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to her disappearance. They traced Grace’s last known movements, combing through hours of surveillance footage and tracking down the man she was last seen with—Jesse Kempson.

On December 5th, police arrived at the CityLife Hotel, where Jesse was staying. As they entered the lobby, Jesse attempted to casually walk away, thinking he could evade them. However, the police apprehended him before he could make an escape.

Jesse’s Web of Lies

In the interrogation room, Jesse initially feigned innocence, lying his way through the interview. He claimed he had simply been on a date with Grace, casting her as the one who had pursued him. As the interview progressed, however, it became increasingly clear that his story didn’t add up. Jesse’s attempts to cover his tracks were futile. He didn’t realize the police had already gathered a wealth of evidence, including surveillance footage, receipts from his purchases of the suitcase and cleaning products, and Grace’s credit card transactions, which he had used in the hours after her death.

Jesse’s defense took a bizarre turn when he finally confessed to killing Grace but insisted that her death was accidental. He claimed they had engaged in consensual rough sex and that her death occurred as a result of a bondage session gone wrong. This so-called "Fifty Shades of Grey defense" was quickly dismissed, given the overwhelming evidence against him.

The Gruesome Discovery

On December 9th, police discovered Grace’s body in a suitcase buried in a remote area of the Waitākere Ranges. The post-mortem examination confirmed that Grace had been strangled. Bruises on her arms and chest indicated that she had been pinned down during the attack. The discovery of Grace’s body confirmed what her family had feared the most.

Jesse’s actions after her death painted a clear picture of his intentions. Not only had he killed Grace, but he also went to great lengths to cover up the crime, using her credit card to prolong his stay at the hotel, purchasing cleaning supplies, and even taking a second woman out on a date.

The Trial and Sentencing

In New Zealand, there is no distinction between first-degree and second-degree murder, meaning all murder charges carry the same weight. Despite his claims of innocence, Jesse Kempson was found guilty of Grace Millane’s murder. On February 21, 2020, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.

In the aftermath of the trial, more women came forward, alleging that Jesse had assaulted them after meeting on Tinder. He was found guilty of these additional charges, which added another 11 years to his sentence.

Conclusion

The murder of Grace Millane is a haunting reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind seemingly innocent encounters. Jesse Kempson preyed on unsuspecting women, using dating apps to lure them into a false sense of security before committing heinous acts. Grace’s story captured the attention of the world, not just because of the brutality of the crime, but also because of the tragic loss of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her.

For Grace’s family, the pain of losing their daughter is immeasurable, but through their resilience and grace, they have inspired conversations about safety, trust, and the hidden dangers of the digital age. The justice system prevailed in this case, ensuring that Jesse Kempson will remain behind bars for the rest of his life, unable to harm another innocent victim.

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